April 2022 Featured Artist
Artist and Autism Advocate Teaches Children on the Spectrum
to Process their Emotions and Find Solace through Art
An Interview with Multidisciplinary Artist
Ivonne Fernández y González
Ivonne Poses with her Work
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Ivonne Fernández y González, M.Sc., is a German-Spanish multidisciplinary artist and social psychologist. Since her autism diagnosis, she has been active in the autism rights and neurodiversity movement and founded the German nonprofit association NeuroDivers e.V.
Ivonne understands art as catharsis, a constructive way to banish dark feelings and thoughts - fear of transience, death, meaninglessness and emptiness, anger in the face of everyday lies, exclusions and injustices in the world. Her work does not represent cheerful motifs. She prefers works in black and white as well as gray tones, especially with strong contrasts. Ivonne enjoys experimenting with different techniques - printing, drawing, mixed media, new media, etc. The works of Käthe Kollwitz, which she experienced on a school trip to the Käthe Kollwitz Museum in Cologne at the age of 12, inspired her to become an artist. Her honest, personal and unsparing portrayal of the horrors of the First World War, as well as her palette of mainly black and white and grayscale, shaped her aesthetic as well as her view of the importance of art as a mixture of personal catharsis and social critique. Other aesthetic influences include Edvard Munch and Herbert Holzing. She seeks visual inspiration from her surroundings, cave paintings, anatomical drawings, and the punk aesthetic of the '80s. Ivonne believes that art and education are essential for human well-being. She conceives art projects for children on the autism spectrum. It is through her work with children that she expresses her sunny, light and colorful side. |
Broken City I
Mixed Media/CGI ~ 40 x 60 cm © Ivonne Fernández y González |
Broken City II
CGI ~ 40 x 60 cm © Ivonne Fernández y González |
Ivonne discusses the inspiration behind her work, the unique perspective of autistic artists, and how she helps autistic youth process their emotions through art.
What was the inspiration behind your “Broken City” series, and what do you hope the viewer takes away?
Broken City refers to the destruction of humanity – through nuclear war or natural disasters. As a child of the ‘80s who experienced Chernobyl and the last stages of the Cold War, destruction caused by nuclear weapons or fallout is a fear that has accompanied me since childhood. I started this series at the end of 2021. I felt a certain disappointment with humanity at that time - the fact that we are very likely to wipe ourselves out and are virtually racing into the abyss with our eyes open (the economy mustn't suffer) is a burden on some days. I hope the viewer will consider that empires fall, that our civilization is in flux, and that we are not the navel of the universe. I hope they realize that our environment is fragile, and we must be careful not to destroy our world. These images are a reminder: Watch out, this could be your city!
What was the inspiration behind your “Broken City” series, and what do you hope the viewer takes away?
Broken City refers to the destruction of humanity – through nuclear war or natural disasters. As a child of the ‘80s who experienced Chernobyl and the last stages of the Cold War, destruction caused by nuclear weapons or fallout is a fear that has accompanied me since childhood. I started this series at the end of 2021. I felt a certain disappointment with humanity at that time - the fact that we are very likely to wipe ourselves out and are virtually racing into the abyss with our eyes open (the economy mustn't suffer) is a burden on some days. I hope the viewer will consider that empires fall, that our civilization is in flux, and that we are not the navel of the universe. I hope they realize that our environment is fragile, and we must be careful not to destroy our world. These images are a reminder: Watch out, this could be your city!
Masking
Etching ~ 20 x 22 cm © Ivonne Fernández y González |
Does your "Broken City" series represent something personal, or do the works have a more literal reference to what’s going on in the world?
The series has mainly been a vision of the future, a kind of reminder of a city after destruction. Since the Ukrainian war began a mere two months after the series was completed, the images are now even more disturbing, as I think of the people who are fleeing the destruction. One photo in the news struck me in particular: As people were seen walking down a street with fear-stricken faces, a body is covered by a tarpaulin on the side of the road, adjacent to a shiny, modern suitcase. This scares me – war and destruction due to human greed. Nothing makes me sadder. What mediums do you prefer? I don't really have a favorite medium. In Germany, you have to name two focal points in the artists’ professional association. I chose "mixed media" and "new media" which describes my work quite well. I started with charcoal drawings, and I really like drawing with pastels and ink. I enjoy printing as well, but I also have a lot of fun with objet trouvé and video installations. I like to mix different techniques, and I usually work without a plan – I work from an urgent vague idea and use what I have there in the moment. My work is affected by my energy - when I'm physically very tired, I prefer to work on the computer. This is how my videos or digital mixed-media images are created from my pool of scanned color surfaces and images. I am currently learning embroidery and would like to further my education in woodblock printing this year. I love artistic expression and want to try out every medium and technique. |
Modern Times
Mixed Media, DIN A3 © Ivonne Fernández y González |
Most of your work is in black and white. Do you have a specific reason for this?
Although I love working with and discovering different techniques, it's not the same with my choice of color palette. For me, colors convey strong feelings which is why I use them very sparingly – most of my work is rather melancholic. The few colorful pieces I’ve created are mostly in screaming colors – piercing yellow or poisonous pink. I use vibrant colors to express excessive demands or stress. I personally find black and white very beautiful and calming, and you can express so much with just these two colors. It seems so clear, so rich in contrast, I can concentrate on what is essential for me. |
Burning Nature
Mixed Media/CGI ~ 40 x 60 cm © Ivonne Fernández y González |
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What unique perspectives do artists on the autism spectrum bring to the art industry?
As I have followed the work of my colleagues on the autism spectrum, I’ve noticed that there is very little self-promotion – instead, there is a focus on the art. We don’t present our work with lots of intellectual, industry-standard language to attract attention. Personally, I’m uncomfortable with a strong focus on marketing and self-promotion. Autistic artists tend to ignore trends; instead, they celebrate their own styles and color palettes. What do you hope to accomplish through your Art Project for Children on the Spectrum? I hope that the children realize [their gifts and potential] and [make new friendships] with other autistic children. Through this course, they find comfort in a community that understands autism culture – our unique likes and dislikes – and they can feel comfortable being themselves. For example, I ensure a pleasant, quiet atmosphere, and I include beautiful and calming objects, such as an aurora borealis lamp. Stimming is absolutely normal in our course; if someone prefers, he/she can just muddle with colors or use headphones. We get along very well with each other. |
Love Story, Part 2
Mixed Media Digital, ca. ~ 20 x 20 cm © Ivonne Fernández y González |
I try to get the children to stay on as teenagers, so they can [become mentors] for the younger children and create courses or activities themselves. This year, the first 14-year-old is starting as my part-time assistant.
I hope that the work that I do helps to break down prejudices and prevailing stereotypes, such as a belief that autistic people are insensitive or only interested in mathematics. There are also many girls in this course, which also contradicts a stereotype.
I believe that I have managed to do that here [break down prejudices and stereotypes] on a small scale. We now have a small permanent exhibition in the café, and the project is relatively well-known in the city. But most of all, I want the children to enjoy art and to continue to express themselves artistically at home. Art is good for them and helps them to process their emotions.
I hope that the work that I do helps to break down prejudices and prevailing stereotypes, such as a belief that autistic people are insensitive or only interested in mathematics. There are also many girls in this course, which also contradicts a stereotype.
I believe that I have managed to do that here [break down prejudices and stereotypes] on a small scale. We now have a small permanent exhibition in the café, and the project is relatively well-known in the city. But most of all, I want the children to enjoy art and to continue to express themselves artistically at home. Art is good for them and helps them to process their emotions.
How have the children responded to this project?
Very positively throughout. Of course, only children who were already interested in art signed up. But despite the long school day, they really enjoy coming, and I can see that they have fun.
I make sure there are always diverse materials available for everyone. For example, someone might prefer working with watercolors while another might like to draw mandalas. Some students just want to experiment. In the summer, we work outside in the courtyard, which the children especially like. One participant called the course "her life elixir," which impressed me very much.
In general, I’ve noticed that the students became more self-confident. They realize that there are many neurodivergent people – there are others who understand them. Also, the feedback the children received about their work was very positive; of course, this is also important for self-confidence.
Very positively throughout. Of course, only children who were already interested in art signed up. But despite the long school day, they really enjoy coming, and I can see that they have fun.
I make sure there are always diverse materials available for everyone. For example, someone might prefer working with watercolors while another might like to draw mandalas. Some students just want to experiment. In the summer, we work outside in the courtyard, which the children especially like. One participant called the course "her life elixir," which impressed me very much.
In general, I’ve noticed that the students became more self-confident. They realize that there are many neurodivergent people – there are others who understand them. Also, the feedback the children received about their work was very positive; of course, this is also important for self-confidence.
Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration can come from anywhere. All it takes is an impulse from outside that triggers strong feelings in me – a TV message, technical information, a curtain in the sun, a branch pattern in the sky – things I want to express artistically. I sometimes write poetry, scribbled on a scrap of paper or recorded on video, or create something at home as a picture.
I also go to museums quite often for inspiration – art museums, folklore museums, natural history museums – there’s always something impressive there. I’m also inspired by illustrated books and photo books on various topics (satellite images, cave paintings, living in the ‘50s, etc.). Sometimes inspiration comes purely from my emotional world – a feeling that is too strong and needs to be captured – which presents particularly well through music or poetry.
Inspiration can come from anywhere. All it takes is an impulse from outside that triggers strong feelings in me – a TV message, technical information, a curtain in the sun, a branch pattern in the sky – things I want to express artistically. I sometimes write poetry, scribbled on a scrap of paper or recorded on video, or create something at home as a picture.
I also go to museums quite often for inspiration – art museums, folklore museums, natural history museums – there’s always something impressive there. I’m also inspired by illustrated books and photo books on various topics (satellite images, cave paintings, living in the ‘50s, etc.). Sometimes inspiration comes purely from my emotional world – a feeling that is too strong and needs to be captured – which presents particularly well through music or poetry.
The Plague
Mixed Media, DIN A3 © Ivonne Fernández y González |
Incognito
Fineliner drawing, DIN A3 © Ivonne Fernández y González |
Apokalypse
Mixed Media, DIN A3
© Ivonne Fernández y González
Mixed Media, DIN A3
© Ivonne Fernández y González
Where do you find sanctuary?
Honestly, I find peace anywhere I can be alone. It can be an industrial area (very pleasant noises and strange lights) or a beach; the important thing is that no people are there, and they don't surprise me.
One of the most relaxing places I have ever seen was a beach in England - no people for miles - which is why I also liked Iceland. Since I have delayed sleep phase syndrome, I'm awake at night, so I was able to do quiet laps even in big cities.
Honestly, I find peace anywhere I can be alone. It can be an industrial area (very pleasant noises and strange lights) or a beach; the important thing is that no people are there, and they don't surprise me.
One of the most relaxing places I have ever seen was a beach in England - no people for miles - which is why I also liked Iceland. Since I have delayed sleep phase syndrome, I'm awake at night, so I was able to do quiet laps even in big cities.
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For upcoming exhibitions, visit Ivonne's website.
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Self-Portrait in Space (Leaving Earth)
Linocut, DIN A4 © Ivonne Fernández y González |
UPCOMING PUBLICATION & ALBUM:
Upcoming release of:
360° (Previously published in Germany in 2021 ~ To be published in English, Summer 2022) This illustrated poetry book contains ten poems from 20 years of writing in notebooks and on slips of paper in a wide variety of cities and places. Thread throughout: melancholy gloominess, sometimes ennui, sometimes lament. The poetry collection will be available on Ivonne's website. New album to be released: Dark electronic music under the alias "Genmaschine" Will be available on Spotify, Bandcamp and Soundcloud. |
