Oil on canvas
72″x60″
Ana Teresa Fernández
Mareas is a permanent public artwork situated at the pedestrian entrance of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Plaza at Pier 27. As the inaugural permanent archway along San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront, the sculpture was commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission in collaboration with the Port of San Francisco. @sf_port
Upon receiving the invitation to propose a design for the waterfront, I observed a significant historical absence of the arch form within the public art discourse on the Embarcadero. The three primary existing permanent works in the vicinity are characterized by a specific phallic and red aesthetic and were exclusively created by male artists.
As the first Mexican woman artist to be included in the permanent public art collection, I am honored to Diversify the conceptual and structural landscape and Include the OCEAN within the critical environmental dialogue.
From a structural perspective, Mareas represents a significant fabrication achievement by @onehatonehand. The “wave” composition consists of three arches engineered with nine distinct radii; specifically, each arch transitions between three different radii. The project required machine-curving and subsequent hand-welding to achieve the intended design, as it lacked a singular reference point for guidance. To facilitate drilling into the curved, circular pipes, a ten-foot support structure was engineered to stabilize the machinery. Following the initial puncture, 231 holes were drilled, each accommodating a unique flat rectangular tile shifting in shape along the pipe to create an illusion of curvature using precise spacing.
The three connecting pipes, while appearing perpendicular, are positioned at an 85-degree using a CNC five-axis laser to ensure a precise coup joint fit.
If I lost you, you are not alone. All to say, arches are among the hardest structures to implement and require mathematical wizards.
The apparent simplicity of the Mareas is technically deceptive, with zero tolerance for imperfections, any misalignment would be immediately discernible.
Gorgeous capture of material & light 🎥 by @cesarrubiophotography
#publicart #art #climate
Mareas is a permanent public artwork situated at the pedestrian entrance of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Plaza at Pier 27. As the inaugural permanent archway along San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront, the sculpture was commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission in collaboration with the Port of San Francisco. @sf_port
Upon receiving the invitation to propose a design for the waterfront, I observed a significant historical absence of the arch form within the public art discourse on the Embarcadero. The three primary existing permanent works in the vicinity are characterized by a specific phallic and red aesthetic and were exclusively created by male artists.
As the first Mexican woman artist to be included in the permanent public art collection, I am honored to Diversify the conceptual and structural landscape and Include the OCEAN within the critical environmental dialogue.
From a structural perspective, Mareas represents a significant fabrication achievement by @onehatonehand. The “wave” composition consists of three arches engineered with nine distinct radii; specifically, each arch transitions between three different radii. The project required machine-curving and subsequent hand-welding to achieve the intended design, as it lacked a singular reference point for guidance. To facilitate drilling into the curved, circular pipes, a ten-foot support structure was engineered to stabilize the machinery. Following the initial puncture, 231 holes were drilled, each accommodating a unique flat rectangular tile shifting in shape along the pipe to create an illusion of curvature using precise spacing.
The three connecting pipes, while appearing perpendicular, are positioned at an 85-degree using a CNC five-axis laser to ensure a precise coup joint fit.
If I lost you, you are not alone. All to say, arches are among the hardest structures to implement and require mathematical wizards.
The apparent simplicity of the Mareas is technically deceptive, with zero tolerance for imperfections, any misalignment would be immediately discernible.
Gorgeous capture of material & light 🎥 by @cesarrubiophotography
#publicart #art #climate
Thursday, May 7th at 6pm Babatunj and Charmaine will perform at the @swissconsulate_sf Swiss Consulate for Hidden Currencies; Water Justice in the Age of AI ; instigating a visual dialogue with On the Horizon.
It has been a long time coming… I have waited years to be able to connect and collaborate with Babatunji, knowing his range of movements, the ways he’d be able to breathe life into this work.
It was an instant click and what followed was a transformation of my garage into an energetic force field. Wait until you see them both on site! They themselves are a wave, carrying you through a story, built on gestures & movements.
I hope you can join us this Thursday and experience the performance live!
@babatunji is wearing Pathos; Civic (made from 500 yards of high vis material)
#art #dance #climatechange #metgala
Thursday, May 7th at 6pm Babatunj and Charmaine will perform at the @swissconsulate_sf Swiss Consulate for Hidden Currencies; Water Justice in the Age of AI ; instigating a visual dialogue with On the Horizon.
It has been a long time coming… I have waited years to be able to connect and collaborate with Babatunji, knowing his range of movements, the ways he’d be able to breathe life into this work.
It was an instant click and what followed was a transformation of my garage into an energetic force field. Wait until you see them both on site! They themselves are a wave, carrying you through a story, built on gestures & movements.
I hope you can join us this Thursday and experience the performance live!
@babatunji is wearing Pathos; Civic (made from 500 yards of high vis material)
#art #dance #climatechange #metgala
Celebrating Earth Day!!! I honor the planet with my commitment to work for water justice. 🌊🌊
On April 11th 2026, a large community met up at 1 Mission to help bridge 175 gallons of sea water across .7 miles on the Port to give life to On the Horizon. Over sixty folks joined us, across all ages and backgrounds, to harness the collective power & create this social sculpture. We were the water! We brought life to the future statistics that our sea levels will rise 6’ in the coming 50 years (or less) due to accelerated glacier melt.
On the Horizon stands with us, amidst us, as our future.
Thank you @swissconsulate_sf & curator @amykisch for your courage & force in creating Hidden Currencies; Water Justice in the Age of AI . And allowing me to be part of the conversation.
Filmed by @minoosh_z
#climatechange #art #sealevelrise #waterjustice #earthday
Celebrating Earth Day!!! I honor the planet with my commitment to work for water justice. 🌊🌊
On April 11th 2026, a large community met up at 1 Mission to help bridge 175 gallons of sea water across .7 miles on the Port to give life to On the Horizon. Over sixty folks joined us, across all ages and backgrounds, to harness the collective power & create this social sculpture. We were the water! We brought life to the future statistics that our sea levels will rise 6’ in the coming 50 years (or less) due to accelerated glacier melt.
On the Horizon stands with us, amidst us, as our future.
Thank you @swissconsulate_sf & curator @amykisch for your courage & force in creating Hidden Currencies; Water Justice in the Age of AI . And allowing me to be part of the conversation.
Filmed by @minoosh_z
#climatechange #art #sealevelrise #waterjustice #earthday
𝙎 𝙊 𝙎 – Chicago
On April 11th, 2026 hundreds of participants gathered along the extensive shoreline of Lake Michigan, framed by the dramatic skyline of towering skyscrapers encircling the lake. A social monument displayed the message: S O S, three dots three dashes three dots. This is the internationally recognized distress signal appealing for assistance. Our collective voice spoke on behalf of the environment. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds stood together in solidarity, speaking for one of the planet’s most ancient bodies, the water of Lake Michigan. Each person represented a single drop of water. As Rumi articulated, “there is an ocean in every drop.”
We stood cheering with optimism, demanding greater stewardship for our bodies of water, our environment, our people, our neighbors, and our planet. Moments of creation on this scale foster our resolve. The term “courage” originates from the Latin word “cor,” meaning heart. Courage historically signified “to express one’s mind by conveying one’s heart.” Our sincere gratitude is extended to all who participated and expressed their conviction with their hearts.
𝙎 𝙊 𝙎
Lake Michigan, the primary source of hydration for over 10 million individuals across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, is experiencing an annual reduction of four inches of water (equivalent to 3.2 trillion gallons). We must move toward taking decisive action to care for our most foundational bodies.
Our sincere appreciation is extended to the @explorenmma National Museum of Mexican Art for their partnership in this undertaking and to their exceptional team, which significantly contributed to the successful realization of this substantial project.
Thank you, Guadalupe Garcia @the.ant.project for your counsel, encouragement, affection, and steadfast hope.
Thank you to our exceptional pilot & editor 🎥 @jaimeortega_1
"This installation was created with the support of Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, California." @lagunaartmuseum
#sos #climatechange #chicage #nmma #socialmonument
𝙎 𝙊 𝙎 – Chicago
On April 11th, 2026 hundreds of participants gathered along the extensive shoreline of Lake Michigan, framed by the dramatic skyline of towering skyscrapers encircling the lake. A social monument displayed the message: S O S, three dots three dashes three dots. This is the internationally recognized distress signal appealing for assistance. Our collective voice spoke on behalf of the environment. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds stood together in solidarity, speaking for one of the planet’s most ancient bodies, the water of Lake Michigan. Each person represented a single drop of water. As Rumi articulated, “there is an ocean in every drop.”
We stood cheering with optimism, demanding greater stewardship for our bodies of water, our environment, our people, our neighbors, and our planet. Moments of creation on this scale foster our resolve. The term “courage” originates from the Latin word “cor,” meaning heart. Courage historically signified “to express one’s mind by conveying one’s heart.” Our sincere gratitude is extended to all who participated and expressed their conviction with their hearts.
𝙎 𝙊 𝙎
Lake Michigan, the primary source of hydration for over 10 million individuals across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, is experiencing an annual reduction of four inches of water (equivalent to 3.2 trillion gallons). We must move toward taking decisive action to care for our most foundational bodies.
Our sincere appreciation is extended to the @explorenmma National Museum of Mexican Art for their partnership in this undertaking and to their exceptional team, which significantly contributed to the successful realization of this substantial project.
Thank you, Guadalupe Garcia @the.ant.project for your counsel, encouragement, affection, and steadfast hope.
Thank you to our exceptional pilot & editor 🎥 @jaimeortega_1
"This installation was created with the support of Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, California." @lagunaartmuseum
#sos #climatechange #chicage #nmma #socialmonument
Gracias @telemundo por invitarnos!!!
Y gracias @explorenmma por el gran trabajo de crear esta exposición juntos con @guadalupe.garcia.m !
Que honor y orgullo !
#underpressure
Gracias @telemundo por invitarnos!!!
Y gracias @explorenmma por el gran trabajo de crear esta exposición juntos con @guadalupe.garcia.m !
Que honor y orgullo !
#underpressure
Under Pressure: Ana Teresa Fernández opens this Friday, March 20th, @explorenmma in the Rubin & Paula Torres Gallery and marks Ana Teresa Fernández’s first solo exhibition in Chicago. Join us and explore video, installation, painting, and performance, where Fernández invites us to confront a reality often silenced—the proximity of irreversible harm to our planet caused by human activity, as Earth’s natural rhythm of regeneration struggles to keep pace.
Guadalupe Garcia Miranda @guadalupe.garcia.m the guest curator for Under Pressure writes:
“Ana Teresa Fernández, a Mexican American artist deeply committed to climate and social
activism, transcends classification by style or genre. Working across diverse media—from
classical painting to performance and video installation—her practice is driven by the urgency to make visible, to bring to light the terrible truths that are often silenced.”
#underpressure #art #oilpainting #performance #nationalmuseumofmexicanar
Under Pressure: Ana Teresa Fernández opens this Friday, March 20th, @explorenmma in the Rubin & Paula Torres Gallery and marks Ana Teresa Fernández’s first solo exhibition in Chicago. Join us and explore video, installation, painting, and performance, where Fernández invites us to confront a reality often silenced—the proximity of irreversible harm to our planet caused by human activity, as Earth’s natural rhythm of regeneration struggles to keep pace.
Guadalupe Garcia Miranda @guadalupe.garcia.m the guest curator for Under Pressure writes:
“Ana Teresa Fernández, a Mexican American artist deeply committed to climate and social
activism, transcends classification by style or genre. Working across diverse media—from
classical painting to performance and video installation—her practice is driven by the urgency to make visible, to bring to light the terrible truths that are often silenced.”
#underpressure #art #oilpainting #performance #nationalmuseumofmexicanar
I am pleased to share the details of the permanent public artwork, Tree of Endangered Life, created during my time as the 2025 Artist in Residence at The Harker School. Working alongside faculty and students, we reimagined the traditional “Arbol de la Vida” to reflect our modern-day local environment and the impacts of climate change.
While the project draws inspiration from the abstracted form of the ceramic Tree of Life—traditionally rooted in spiritual and biblical narratives—we shifted the focus to species native to the Bay Area that are currently facing extinction. Throughout several workshops, students from Middle School to High School explored the universal significance of the “tree of life” across various cultures and religions while sculpting local endangered species out of clay. The featured species include the San Francisco Wallflower, Mission Blue Butterfly, Green Hairstreak Butterfly, Coast Rockcress, Pallid Manzanita, San Francisco Lessingia, Arabis Wall Rock Cress, Bay Checkerspot Butterfly, Sonoma Sunshine, and the English Peek Greenbrier.
Transpollination of Eden is being exhibited at Harker simultaneously.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Brian Caponi, head of the ceramics department, for his essential role in sculpting the trunk, firing hundreds of pieces, and providing technical guidance. Special thanks also to Pilar Argüello @pilar.aguero.esparza for her belief in this project and for helping bring this vision to life within the garden at Harker.
#treeofendangeredlife #árboldelavidaenpeligrodeextinción #arboldelavida #publicart #climatechange theharkerschool artistinresidence ceramics art anateresafernandez
I am pleased to share the details of the permanent public artwork, Tree of Endangered Life, created during my time as the 2025 Artist in Residence at The Harker School. Working alongside faculty and students, we reimagined the traditional “Arbol de la Vida” to reflect our modern-day local environment and the impacts of climate change.
While the project draws inspiration from the abstracted form of the ceramic Tree of Life—traditionally rooted in spiritual and biblical narratives—we shifted the focus to species native to the Bay Area that are currently facing extinction. Throughout several workshops, students from Middle School to High School explored the universal significance of the “tree of life” across various cultures and religions while sculpting local endangered species out of clay. The featured species include the San Francisco Wallflower, Mission Blue Butterfly, Green Hairstreak Butterfly, Coast Rockcress, Pallid Manzanita, San Francisco Lessingia, Arabis Wall Rock Cress, Bay Checkerspot Butterfly, Sonoma Sunshine, and the English Peek Greenbrier.
Transpollination of Eden is being exhibited at Harker simultaneously.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Brian Caponi, head of the ceramics department, for his essential role in sculpting the trunk, firing hundreds of pieces, and providing technical guidance. Special thanks also to Pilar Argüello @pilar.aguero.esparza for her belief in this project and for helping bring this vision to life within the garden at Harker.
#treeofendangeredlife #árboldelavidaenpeligrodeextinción #arboldelavida #publicart #climatechange theharkerschool artistinresidence ceramics art anateresafernandez
S O S • • • – – – • • •
Art + Nature 2025
Over 800 community members came together at Main Beach in Laguna Beach, CA on November 9th, 2025 to speak with light on behalf of the ocean. If the ocean were to be given a voice, it would cry out for HELP, asking humanity to stop abusing her and protect her. We stood together holding up mirrors spelling out in international light language of Morse code: SOS, which has long stood for Save our Souls. Here, alongside the ocean, we implored: “Save Our Seas!”
800 bodies translated this message by becoming drops of water, holding mirrors, glittering and cheering on the sand in unison. Hundreds of human drops transforming into an ocean. WE were more than a social sculpture, we became a SOCIAL MONUMENT.
After the Morse code formation, we then merged as one swell of energy, flowing back and forth, becoming the tide, creating ripples across the shore.
An enormous thank you to all 800 participants who came and sung with light along the shore and helped embody SOS.
I cannot express enough gratitude to the Laguna Art Museum team who believed in , supported and helped make SOS happen for Art + Nature 2025 !!!!
Special thank you to Julie Perlin Lee, Victoria Gerard, Brian Ross, Robin Rundle, Carl Smith, Ryan Tuffnell, Sabrina Morris, Katherine Morton and all the docents and volunteers at LAM!!!
Thank you to Sarah McCarthy Grimm, @sarahgrimmstudio I would not have survived this week without your love and generosity and Thank you Zachariah Epperson!!! @zachariahleeee
Thank you @pilar.aguero.esparza for being here!!!
This footage was filmed and edited by Erik Thienes.
#socialmonument #socialsculpture #SOS #lagunaartmuseum #art #publicart #ocean #anateresafernandez #climatechange
S O S • • • – – – • • •
Art + Nature 2025
Over 800 community members came together at Main Beach in Laguna Beach, CA on November 9th, 2025 to speak with light on behalf of the ocean. If the ocean were to be given a voice, it would cry out for HELP, asking humanity to stop abusing her and protect her. We stood together holding up mirrors spelling out in international light language of Morse code: SOS, which has long stood for Save our Souls. Here, alongside the ocean, we implored: “Save Our Seas!”
800 bodies translated this message by becoming drops of water, holding mirrors, glittering and cheering on the sand in unison. Hundreds of human drops transforming into an ocean. WE were more than a social sculpture, we became a SOCIAL MONUMENT.
After the Morse code formation, we then merged as one swell of energy, flowing back and forth, becoming the tide, creating ripples across the shore.
An enormous thank you to all 800 participants who came and sung with light along the shore and helped embody SOS.
I cannot express enough gratitude to the Laguna Art Museum team who believed in , supported and helped make SOS happen for Art + Nature 2025 !!!!
Special thank you to Julie Perlin Lee, Victoria Gerard, Brian Ross, Robin Rundle, Carl Smith, Ryan Tuffnell, Sabrina Morris, Katherine Morton and all the docents and volunteers at LAM!!!
Thank you to Sarah McCarthy Grimm, @sarahgrimmstudio I would not have survived this week without your love and generosity and Thank you Zachariah Epperson!!! @zachariahleeee
Thank you @pilar.aguero.esparza for being here!!!
This footage was filmed and edited by Erik Thienes.
#socialmonument #socialsculpture #SOS #lagunaartmuseum #art #publicart #ocean #anateresafernandez #climatechange