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Fernando Mastrangelo - “Let Me Make A Statement”

July 28, 2026 · 56 min

Show notes

Artist and designer Fernando Mastrangelo has built one of the most original studio practices by transforming everyday and natural materials like sand, salt, silica, and crushed glass into collectible works held in the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.


In this episode, he joins host Alexandra Fairweather on an original Chamberlain couch to discuss the origins of great art and design. From Drift, Fernando’s first collectible series inspired by the glaciers and landscapes of Patagonia, to the new landscape work he’s showing at Cristina Grajales this Fall, his work takes a clear stance on our relationship with the natural world and the environmental issues shaping it.


Follow our host: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrafairweather/ 

Follow our guest: https://www.instagram.com/iamfm/?hl=en 

Listen to Fernando’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-discord/id1817191053 


Stay up-to-date with the John Chamberlain Estate:


Tune in to episodes of ON THE COUCH via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, or wherever you prefer to stream.


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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:12 Childhood an as immigrant

03:26 Deciding to become an artist

04:20 Falling in love with sculpture

07:27 Grad school at VCU and harsh critiques

10:59 Rebelling in year two of grad school

11:59 Moving to NYC and working with Matthew Barney

16:40 Learning from Matthew Barney's philosophy

20:00 Making the "Felix" cocaine sculpture 

23:05 Going broke and paying it forward

32:31 Shifting into design

52:39 Closing thoughts

Stay up-to-date with the John Chamberlain Estate:

  • Follow: https://www.instagram.com/johnchamberlainestate/
  • To learn more about the estate’s work and mission, visit: https://www.john-chamberlain.com/
  • Media inquiries: [email protected]


Tune in to episodes of ON THE COUCH via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, or wherever you prefer to stream.

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