Fernando Luis Ribas-Berain

I’m Fernando Ribas Berain, a visual artist originally from Austin, Texas, but who after 15 years now calls San Antonio home. I’m both a sculptor and a mixed media artist.

I’ve been making art since I was a child—albeit reluctantly at first. For years, my creativity was filtered through preconceived notions, internal constraints, and stereotypes about what art should be. It wasn’t until 2018 that I began making art more freely, ardently even, but unrestricted by mental blocks or expectations.

Making is my mindset. The more I make, the more I learn. That’s why I relish working for other artists. For I seek to continue growing the skills that I use in my personal practice, everyday. Installing artworks in museums exposed me new materials, conceptual depth, and countless examples of artistic courage. These daily experiences continue to shape my studio work.

I started at a construction site—stacking recycled materials into totems of balance and intuition. Then I painted with leftovers from job sites, coloring without conditions. As my practice matured, I gravitated toward sculpture. I became fascinated with faux bois—its ability to create organic flow out of something as hard as concrete.   However, I love the texture and adaptability of papier-mâché clay, which shares the consistency of concrete, but offers a lesser ecological footprint.

Ever in awe of the fleeting moments of life and the journey of self-discovery, I strive to create art that encourages this sentiment.