Fernanda Cortes

Profile

In November 2024, I began my role as Casting and Ceramics Technician in the School of Fine Art, History of Art, and Cultural Studies within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Cultures at the University of Leeds. This position has been both a challenge and an opportunity to create a well-functioning and inspiring studio environment for students. My work has involved extensive collaboration with academic, technical, and management teams to align goals and strategies. I have also had the privilege of working alongside a talented group of technicians whose expertise spans photography, printmaking, 3D printing, and audiovisuals, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Although there is still work to be done to ensure the Casting and Ceramics workshop operates seamlessly, I am encouraged by the progress we have made and remain excited about its continued evolution. I am committed to shaping a space that supports both technical excellence and creative exploration.

I am a sculptor with a strong foundation in industrial design and ceramics. I graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in 2014 and earned a Master of Arts in Ceramics and Glass from the Royal College of Art in 2016. My primary medium is clay, and I specialise in crafting anthropomorphic sculptures, typically around 90 cm in height. These pieces are meticulously hand-built from stoneware clay and finished with glazes that I personally formulate. Each sculpture serves as a vessel for storytelling, inviting viewers to explore the layered narratives embedded within.

A defining aspect of my work is the integration of short stories that accompany each sculpture. These narratives explore themes of light and darkness, otherness, and transformation, revealing the characters' inner experiences and states of being. By combining sculpture and story, I aim to create thought-provoking and immersive experiences that connect visual and literary elements, enriching the viewer’s engagement.

My creative process is iterative and multifaceted, involving research, writing, drawing, and sculpting. Looking ahead, I plan to expand beyond traditional ceramics to incorporate mixed-media installations, broadening the scope and impact of my artistic practice.

In addition to my personal work, I am dedicated to education and sharing my expertise. As a Specialist Tutor at Sunken Studio, I have had the privilege of introducing diverse audiences, from beginners to seasoned professionals, to the transformative potential of clay.

For more about my work and practice, please visit: https://fernandacortes.com.

Responsibilities

• Casting and Ceramics Technician

Research interests

I am a Mexican-Italian artist based in the UK, where I have been shaping my creative practice over the past nine years. My artistic inquiry is rooted in the exploration of human resilience, vulnerability, and the nuanced interplay between societal structures and personal narratives. Drawing from my foundation in Product Design at UNAM and further studies in Paris and Canada, I discovered ceramics as a medium that bridges material exploration with storytelling.

Central to my research is the investigation of sculpture as a narrative form, where the anthropomorphic shapes I create serve as tangible expressions of themes such as dehumanisation and fragility. My practice is equally informed by my writing, with short stories expanding the conceptual framework of my sculptures and offering a deeper layer of engagement with my audience.

I aim to address broader cultural and societal questions through my work, engaging with topics such as identity, displacement, and the ways individuals navigate complex emotional landscapes. This often involves creating multilayered sculptural installations that juxtapose the tactile intimacy of ceramics with the universality of the human experience.

Beyond my studio practice, I am passionate about fostering creative communities and contributing to educational initiatives. My teaching role has deepened my understanding of the interplay between pedagogy and artistic practice, as I encourage students to explore the transformative power of material and process.

Through a combination of sculptural exploration, written narratives, and community engagement, my work seeks to connect deeply with diverse audiences, offering spaces for reflection and dialogue about the complexities of contemporary life.

Qualifications

• 2016 - Master of Arts in Ceramics and Glass: Royal College of Art, London (UK) Dissertation: Clay &
• 2014 - Bachelor of Industrial Design: National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Faculty of Arc
• 2013 - Student Exchange: Université de Moncton Faculté de Arts Visuels, Moncton (Canada)
• 2012 - Student Exchange: École National Supérieure de Création Industrielle (ENSCI), Paris (France)