Seila Fernández Arconada is a multidisciplinary artist-researcher whose practice focuses on contemporary eco-social uncertainties influenced by climatic shifts, societal disputes and extractive actions towards Nature, particularly in watery territories.
Through situated collaborations, her practice aims to address these pressing environmental and social challenges by nurturing transdisciplinarity, “artistic resilience”, "belonging", critical thinking, decolonial approaches, ecofeminism, conflict management and trauma-informed practices. By combining artistic techniques with research-based methodologies, she offers carefully created “in between spaces” for embodied learning, collective empowerment as seeds for ecosocial renewal. This praxis lives in the interception of artistic practices, academia, formal and non formal education and ecological/humanitarian practices.
She has exhibited internationally as well as leading numerous multidisciplinary workshops and interventions, including Migration, Identity and Belonging (Institut Français, Maurice), Natural Camp (Role Models Ukraine), Wonder, Wander (Jordan), On Earth (UK), AGU (USA), Communities Development in Post-Crisis Regions (Ukraine), Governing for Resilience in Vulnerable Places (Netherlands) and Transnational Dialogues (China).
Participatory and collaborative research methodologies with professionals from other disciplines and community members are vital in her practice. Recently, she has led the project “#EstudioFlotante, cuando el río suena a Amazonas” project granted by the International Grant for Artistic Creation of Botín Foundation. This project took place between 2019-22 in the course of the Amazon River (from source to mouth) in Peru, Colombia and Brazil. In 2023 She has led and coordinated the international project "Post Truth, Countering Disinformation Narratives" that took place in Ukraine, Poland, Germany and France (www.posttruthproject.net).
She has been awarded with European Alternatives funding and the Artists’ International Fund of the British Council and Arts Council England for 2014 and Moore Institute Visiting Fellowship 2017 (Ireland) among others.
“In the face of growing ecosocial challenges, it is crucial to reevaluate our narratives and practices. By adopting transdisciplinary approaches, we can develop innovative solutions that address the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues. Artistic languages can provide unique perspectives, allowing us to explore alternative ways of feeling while understanding and embodying these challenges.
Artistic spaces are experiential, experimental and permeable, they are transformative approach for those who experience it, creating long lasting bonds and collective meaning. As one of the stewards of our time, I keep creating artistic spaces as I believe that Artistic practices have power and potential to create a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Artistic spaces are experiential, experimental and permeable, they are transformative approach for those who experience it, creating long lasting bonds and collective meaning. As one of the stewards of our time, I keep creating artistic spaces as I believe that Artistic practices have power and potential to create a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Seila Fernández Arconada
CV short version 2024 (English language)
| cv_seilafdza.pdf |
CLICK HERE to know more about her INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION
Photo by Cláudia Costa