Lehmann Maupin is delighted to present Astral Sea, a new exhibition by New York-based artist Teresita Fernández. Showcasing glazed ceramic works and sculptural paper panels, Astral Sea delves into the intersections of the cosmos, land, and water, crafting an immersive sculptural landscape.
Fernández’s work is deeply connected to the viewer’s movement. As individuals navigate the gallery, their reflections interact with the surfaces of her pieces, revealing or concealing elements depending on the vantage point. This dynamic mirrors the way we navigate the world—connected to the stars, tides, and the slow passage of time, encapsulating the idea that “nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”
This fluid motion is central to Astral Sea. The exhibition opens with two large glazed ceramic works, Astral Sea 1 and Astral Sea 2, which shimmer with flowing blues, copper tones, and deep greens. The imagery hints at both earthly landscapes and cosmic galaxies, creating a sense of being suspended between worlds. As light moves across their glossy surfaces, these pieces seem to vibrate, inviting viewers to explore both the micro and macro dimensions of the works.
The exhibition also references Stella Maris—“star of the sea”—a phrase embodying the feminine qualities often associated with water. This concept is expressed in a series of sculptural paper panels titled Stella Maris (Net), where paper pulp and pigments are layered to form intricate, hidden depths. Delicate nets of Kozo fibers drape across the panels, creating veils that obscure parts of the imagery below, evoking the complexity of what can be seen and what remains concealed.
Astral Sea 1, 2024 (detail)
Glazed ceramic
Photo by Daniel Kukla
Anchoring the exhibition is the sculpture Tether (Flotsam and Jetsam), which grounds the surrounding works. A dark concrete form, embedded with fragments of white sand resembling constellations, tilts upward, tethered by a rope. Suspended nets filled with crystalline minerals like azurite and malachite add a sense of buoyancy, tying the work to both the sea and the sky.
As with much of Fernández’s work, Astral Sea subtly touches on sociopolitical themes. The terms “flotsam” and “jetsam” are used deliberately, evoking colonial exploitation and the displacement of materials across oceans. By suspending these elements in her work, Fernández encourages reflection on what is valued and discarded throughout history.
Through Astral Sea, Fernández invites viewers to consider their place within the cosmos and the elements, highlighting the fluidity between land, sea, and sky. Her works remind us of the constant state of flux that connects us to the world around us.
The exhibition runs through to September 21, at No.9 Cork Street, Mayfair, London.
