Kumkum Fernando: The Artistic Odyssey Of Robots, Mythology, And Memory

KUMKUM FERNANDO: WHERE ROBOTS DANCE WITH GODS

Kumkum Fernando: A Visionary Artist Where Robots, Mythology, And Memory Converge. Fernando, Born In Sri Lanka And Now Based In Vietnam, Is An Artist Whose Work Captivates Audiences Across The Globe.

**Kumkum Fernando** in front of his sculpture "WHERE ROBOTS DANCE WITH GODS" | Photo Wing Chan

Kumkum Fernando´s Unique Art Binds Mythology, Personal Memories, And Futuristic Visions, Creating Mesmerizing Sculptures That Speak Volumes Of His Rich Cultural Heritage.

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Which Way Is Home (Artwork)
I Lost My Way Again Which Way Is Home?
I Asked Myself Then Out Of Nowhere He Appeared I Know Home, He Said But First I Need To Pee
Me: Toilet Break, Really?
He: Just Give Me A Sec, I'll Be Right Back
He Left
108 Years Later He Returned
That Was The Longest Second
That Was The Longest Pee Break
Follow Me, He Said, This Way Is Home

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Our discovery of Kumkum Fernando was sparked by an engaging article on Artsy, which highlighted his collaboration with the Jonathan Levine Project during last year's Miami Art Week.

An Interview At "Coolhunting" particularly blew our minds.

Additionally, it's worth noting that there is currently a duo exhibition featuring Fernando's work at the Jonathan LeVine Project At Fondation Winter, now open for viewing!

Kumkum Fernando: Available at Jonathan Levine Projects

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kumkum fernando in saigon, working on post colonial rainbow punks, robots — Kumkum Fernando: During his work for "Post Colonial Rainbow Punks" in Saigon | Jonathan LeVine Projects | Photo: Image Courtesy by the Artist and Gallery

Discovering Kumkum Fernando was truly an 'AHA' moment for us at Munchies Art Club, instantly capturing our attention. Reminded of 'Daft Punk' and the iconic film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1953), these references ignited our curiosity and inspired us to connect with the incredibly talented artist, Kumkum Fernando."

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**Kumkum Fernando: Left:** A 27 layered hand lacquered valley caves into Ravanas heart Right: The Papaya Eater | *Dimension: H68 x W25 x D14 (cm)* | Photo Wing Chan

contemporary art and robots, magnetic, kumkum fernando, jonathan levine projects — **Kumkum Fernando: Left:** A 27 layered hand lacquered valley caves into Ravanas heart Right: The Papaya Eater | *Dimension: H68 x W25 x D14 (cm)* | Photo Wing Chan

Inspired by our exchange and the mesmerizing quality of his work, he kindly agreed to share his work with us to share with our readers, offering an in-depth view into his creative universe, showcasing the breadth and depth of his artistry.

KUMKUM FERNANDO: BRIDGING WORLDS WITH MYTHOLOGICAL ROBOTS

In the heart of Fernando's art lies a profound narrative, one that weaves together the ethereal threads of past, present, and future.

‍His pieces are more than mere sculptures; they are storied beings, each carrying a universe within themselves.

kumkum fernando, lotus returns robot, new faces in contemporary art — **Kumkum Fernando:** Lotus Returns | *Dimension: H30 x W13 x D6* (inch) | Photo: Wing Chan

‍His debut exhibition "Temples, Gods, and Robots" at Jonathan LeVine Projects, alongside showcases at the Singapore Art Museum and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, showcases his skill in blending the realms of the familiar and the mystical.

Additionally, his work made a significant impact this year at Art India in New Delhi, marking another milestone in his journey of artistic exploration.

kumkum Fernando with his gigantic robots at coacella vally music festival, duft punk, — **Kumkum Fernando:** 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with works by the Artist called " The Messengers" | Images from the artists Facebook Page

robot in contemporary art and sculpture, white magnetic masterpiece from kumkum fernando — **Kumkum Fernando:** The Forgotten Lotus | Dimension: H71 x W29 x D13 (cm) Height: approx. 2 feet | Photo Wing Chan -> REBORN Poster Series | Image Courtesy of the Artist

poster reborn, artistic odyseey of robots, mytholgoy and memory , — **Kumkum Fernando:** The Forgotten Lotus | Dimension: H71 x W29 x D13 (cm) Height: approx. 2 feet | Photo Wing Chan -> REBORN Poster Series | Image Courtesy of the Artist

reborn series by saigon based emerging promising artist kumkum fernando — **Kumkum Fernando** -> Reborn -> Image Courtesy by the Artist

kumkum fernando detail of an pink, mythology robot — Kumkum Fernando | Weeping Orchid | Dimension: H20 x W12 x D4 (inch) | Photo: Wing Chan

Notably, his installations at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival, titled "The Messengers," stood as monumental testaments to his artistic vision, marrying South Asian art with Hindu mythology and retro-futurism.

highlights of the coachella festival california, giant robots — **Kumkum Fernando:** Coachella Festival 2023 with his work "The Messengers" | Image Courtesy of the Artist

Discover more about this project from the Coachella Festival 2023 through an interview with Kumkum Fernando on DesignBoom.

Kumkum Fernando -> Designboom -> Coachella 2023

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kumkum ferndano at coachella festival impressions of the messangers robots by emerging promising artist kumkum ferndano — **Kumkum Fernando** great work "The Messengers" during 2023 Coachella Valley Music Festival | Image courtesy of the artist

‍Fernando’s artistry delves deep into the narrative fabric, often pairing his sculptures with poetry.

This amalgamation of visual and literary art forms not only enriches the immersive experience of his work but also invites viewers to engage with the artwork on a profoundly personal level.

kumkum fernando, new faces in contemporary sculpture now , robots detail — ‍Kumkum Fernando: Ilo the 5 headed synthetic dreamer by Kumkum Fernando with text "Has visions of the future but mixes it up with the past. Doesn’t talk to strangers and hates space trash." | 86 hand handmade magnetic wooden blocks, lacquered, hand silk-screened | Photo Wing Chan

‍FROM ANCIENT MARVELS TO ARTISTIC VISIONS: KUMKUM FERNANDO'S JOURNEY THROUGH SRI LANKA'S LEGACY

‍Kumkum Fernando's journey into the world of art is deeply rooted in a legacy of curiosity and wonder, inherited from his father, a collector of unique items.

kumkum fernando early works, vietnam , reborn series, little toys wood and old materials — **Kumkum Fernando's** early works were crafted from old architectural objects discarded due to the urbanization of Saigon. He began by collecting windows, doors, chairs, and other items abandoned at building sites, scrap yards, and street corners. His aim was to highlight Saigon's architectural history, introducing this concept to schools as a source of inspiration. | Image courtesy of the artist

‍From an early age, Kumkum was deeply engaged in seeking out ancient marvels and treasures, amassing stones, spoons, and statues that conveyed the rich history of Sri Lanka to his attentive listening.

The age-old culture of his birthplace permeates every aspect of his work, drawing inspiration from the detailed temple paintings and captivating folk tales that tell of gateways to a world filled with gods, giants, and demons.

toys with history, beautiful sculptore works from found material past artworks by kumkum fernando — Kumkum Fernando "Toys with History" series masterfully transforms discarded architectural pieces into evocative artworks, bringing Saigon's urban history to life through each creation. | Image courtesy of the artist

‍With pride and reverence, Kumkum channels this heritage, seamlessly blending fine art and design with a profound appreciation for the ancient and the traditional.

Now residing in Vietnam, Kumkum and his dedicated team embark on urban treasure hunts, scouring the streets for materials that once forgotten, are reborn through their creative touch into captivating art and objects.

roborn, notbooks from he vietnamese magazine, past work by kumkum fernando — **Kumkum Fernando's** past project, "Notebooks from Vintage Vietnamese Magazines," ingeniously transformed old Vietnamese magazines into distinctive notebook covers. These magazines, distinguished by their vivid colors, textures, and visuals that echo a bygone but still contemporary era, were sourced from used magazine vendors. Fernando and his team diligently handcrafted each notebook, utilizing the actual magazines for the covers to maintain authenticity and commit to environmental sustainability through 100% recycled materials. This project, realized in collaboration with 133 Co Bac, aimed to preserve the charm of vintage Vietnamese magazines by repurposing them into everyday objects, culminating in a limited edition of 500 handcrafted notebooks.

‍This alchemy of history and imagination underscores Kumkum's art, making each piece a conduit between the past's mystique and the present's innovation.

‍ROBOTS AND REBORN:

‍The "Reborn" series, a blend of traditional aesthetics and futuristic design, showcases Fernando's skill in using time-honored East Asian painting and lacquering techniques to create geometric sculptures that are both action figures and idols.

robots in contemporary art and sculpture reborn, by promising artist kumkum fernando — **Kumkum Fernando:** Dizzy Missy The portal hopper | *Dimension: H63 x W24 x D10* **(cm)** *Height: approx. 2 feet | Photo Wing Chan*

These vibrant and evocative pieces embody a blend of spirituality, mythology, and philosophy, each enriched by an accompanying poem that lends depth and context to their visual stories.

Every sculpture comes with a poem, paying tribute to the tales shared by Kumkum’s grandmother in her cherished gardens during his childhood, creating a bridge between personal heritage and artistic expression.

kumkum fernando promising emerging contemporary artist presents the real robot god — **Kumkum Fernando:** The Real Robot God | This piece incorporates traditional patterns from the French colonial and industrial Vietnamese era. The poster not only showcases the origin of each design with its specific address but also serves as an assembly guide. Comprising 160 handcrafted magnetic wooden blocks, finished with lacquer and hand silk-screened. The set includes a complimentary diagram map poster. Dimensions: 160cm in height, 51cm in width, and 25cm in thickness. | Photo by Wing Chan and Kumkum Fernando: Roha's Lady Temple | This piece features an assembly diagram/map poster adorned with traditional patterns from the French colonial and industrial Vietnamese era. The poster not only identifies the origin of each pattern with its actual address but also functions as an assembly guide. It consists of 78 handcrafted magnetic wooden blocks, each lacquered and silk-screened by hand. A free diagram map poster is included. Dimensions: 90cm in height, 30cm in width, and 16cm in thickness.

jonathan levine projects , with kumkum fernando — **Kumkum Fernando:** The Real Robot God | This piece incorporates traditional patterns from the French colonial and industrial Vietnamese era. The poster not only showcases the origin of each design with its specific address but also serves as an assembly guide. Comprising 160 handcrafted magnetic wooden blocks, finished with lacquer and hand silk-screened. The set includes a complimentary diagram map poster. Dimensions: 160cm in height, 51cm in width, and 25cm in thickness. | Photo by Wing Chan and Kumkum Fernando: Roha's Lady Temple | This piece features an assembly diagram/map poster adorned with traditional patterns from the French colonial and industrial Vietnamese era. The poster not only identifies the origin of each pattern with its actual address but also functions as an assembly guide. It consists of 78 handcrafted magnetic wooden blocks, each lacquered and silk-screened by hand. A free diagram map poster is included. Dimensions: 90cm in height, 30cm in width, and 16cm in thickness.

Kumkum Fernando stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation in the contemporary art world.

jonathan levine project with kumkum fernando with his work — **Kumkum Fernando:** Ilo Galaxy | *Dimension: H41 x W15 x D11 (inch) | Photo Wing Chan*

Ilo, Ilo.
This Time I Gave You A Jet Pack
So We Can Meet Much Sooner. Meet Me By The Edge Of The Milky Way.
Don’t Be Late.
The First Ilo Never Had A Jet Pack So We Couldn’t Meet As Planned. Quote From Kumkum About Ilo Galaxy

‍His work not only serves as a bridge connecting viewers with the rich tapestry of South Asian stories and traditions but also propels them into a future brimming with imaginative possibilities.

DIVE DEEPER INTO KUMKUM FERNANDOS WORLD AND SUPPORT THE ARTIST WITH A FOLLOW.

kumkum fernando, artist spotlight, robot, amazing sculpture work 2024 — **Kumkum Fernando** -> Post Colonial Rainbow Punks | With Manike the Maniac, Lomba, Koha and Soft Boss | Jonathan LeVine Projects | Photo: Courtesy of the Artist and Gallery

For those eager to explore more of Kumkum Fernando's captivating world of robots, myths, and memories, visiting his Website and following him on Instagram Are Highly Recommended.

His ongoing projects and insights into his creative process can also be seen through Jonathan LeVine Projects Or The Artsy page of the gallery.

Special thanks are extended to the collaborators and photographers Wing Chang (Instagram) and BiteStudio who have provided a closer look at Fernando's work, offering insights that are as stunning as they are accessible.