Ana Hernando Multidisciplinary Sculptor
Editorial
-Alaya Brown
A Beacon of Purpose and Possibility
As we step further into a year defined by rapid
transformationandrenewedpurpose,itbecomes essentialtospotlightindividualswhoarenotjust keepingpace—butleadingthewaywithgrace,intention, and impact. In this special edition of Insights Success titled,MostAdmiredPersonalitytoLookForin2025,we are honoured to featureAna Hernando—a woman whose journey exemplifies the perfect intersection of heart, resilience,andvisionaryleadership.
Anaisnotmerelyapersonalitytowatch;sheisaforcetobe understood A nationally recognized thought leader, healer, and advocate for holistic well-being, Ana has continuously challenged conventional norms to build a legacy rooted in authenticity and service. Her approach blends clinical expertise with a deeply human touch, offering not just treatment, but transformation. Through her voice, presence, and passion, she inspires individuals to heal from within and lead lives of fulfilment and purpose.
WhatsetsAnaapartisnotjustwhatshedoes,but how she does it—with unwavering integrity, boundless empathy, andanunshakablebeliefinthepotentialofothers.Asthe worldsearchesforrolemodelswhoembodystrengthand sincerityin equalmeasure,Ana stands tallas a beaconof both.
In this edition, we dive deep into Ana’s philosophy, her groundbreaking work, and the impact she continues to make across industries and communities. Her story remindsusthatadmirationisnotfoundinperfection,butin persistence—in the willingness to rise, evolve, and uplift othersalongtheway
Weareproudtoshareherjourneywithyou,andwehope herwordsandworkleaveyouasinspiredastheyhaveleft us.
HappyReding!
THE SIGNATURE STORY
ANA HERNANDO
Anchoring Universal Emotions in Art
The Multidisciplinary Sculptor's Approach to Installation Art INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
The Neuroscience Behind Artistic Consciousness Leadership INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Managing
Art
Business
Business
Digital
Co-designer
Marketing
Most Admired Personality to Look for in 2025
Feuring
Photos: Natalia Kor
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCULPTOR
ANA HERNANDO
Anchoring Universal Emotions in Art
Inaneradefinedbyfleetingtrendsanddigitalillusions,AnaHernando is emerging as a resolute force, shaping timeless emotion in a lasting way Withover35yearsofartisticexperience,thisspanishsculptorhas cultivated a singular language of sculpture that transcends the material to communicatedirectlywiththesoul.Rootedinclassicaltraditionyetboldly contemporary, her multidisciplinary practice is a testament to leadership throughvision,craftsmanship,andemotionaldepth.
Her work speaks not only of artistic mastery but of an unwavering dedicationtoauthenticity.Inaworldofteninfluencedbymarketforces,she hasremainedfiercelycommittedtotheintegrityofherprocess,workingby hand, modeling with clay, and carving with reverence. Each piece she creates—sculptures, paintings, medals, or drawings—is a quiet act of resistance against haste, a call to return to the intimacy of creation and connection.
Beyond her studio, she has expanded her influence to include design innovation, literature, and education. Her entrepreneurial venture into functional art is now part of the Barcelona Design Museum's permanent collection, revealing her ability to harmonize aesthetics with utility.As a teacher and author, she brings the same passion to mentoring and storytelling, guiding others through the intersections of creativity and purpose.
Hernandoisnotsimplyasculptor;sheisaleaderofartisticconsciousness. Herlegacyistransformative,anchoringuniversalhumanemotioninform andremindingusthatthehighestvalueofsuchartisnotonlythatitisseen, butthatitisfelt.Throughherwork,sheoffersrefugeandrevelation.
Far from trends and fads, I have been developing my own artistic language, connecting with those who approach my work. “ “
TheBasisofMastery
Hernando's approach to sculpture, and also to painting, is deeply rooted in classical tradition yet distinctly contemporaryinitsexecution.Sheisinspiredbythemasters who defined the language of form and space: Michelangelo, Henry Moore, Velázquez, Picasso, Brancusi, Rodin, and Matisse.Sheoftenexplainsthateachoftheseartistsinspired hertofindherownidentity,emphasizinghowtheirinfluence servedasstepstofollowratherthanlimitationsonherartistic development.
Her commitment to traditional techniques is unwavering. In an age where digital fabrication and technological shortcuts dominatemanycreativefields,Hernandomaintainsahandson approach that would be familiar to sculptors of centuries past.Shepreparesherowncanvases,buildsherstructuresby hand,craftsmodelsexceedingtwometersinheightwithclay, sculpts stone, and carves wood with minimal mechanical intervention.
"I still work by hand. Art offers us an intimate encounter and allows us to stop time. Being able to make my works with that love gives me the opportunity to take care of every detail.""I enjoy the value of that unique piece, like each of us," she declaresproudly.
This dedication to craftsmanship extends beyond mere technique;itrepresentsaphilosophicalstanceonthenatureof artisticcreation.ForHernando,thephysicalactofmakingis inseparable from the emotional content of the work. Every chisel mark, every modeling gesture, every brushstroke conveystheartist'sintentionintothematerialworld.
TheLanguageofForm
Hernandodescribestheessenceofherworkas“thesearchfor thesynthesisofemotionsthroughbalance,beauty,movement, color, refined volumes, and rhythm, with the human figure as the protagonist and with an abstraction where the viewer can see themselves reflected.”Thissynthesisisrevealedinworks thatmanagetobedeeplypersonalanduniversallyaccessible.
Her artistic motto, “Art for Living,” encapsulates her belief that art should not exist in isolation from daily experience. Instead, her works are designed to convey “those emotions that we sometimes cannot express in words, that connectus to ourselves and to the world.”Thisphilosophytransformsher sculpturesandpaintingsfromsimpleobjectsintoconduitsfor humanconnectionandunderstanding.
The creative process behind each piece begins with careful observation and reflection Hernando always keeps a notebook and pencil nearby, capturing the nuances that will influence the outcome. “Sculpture doesn't allow for many modifications, so those notes are very valuable to me,” she explains.This methodical approach ensures that by the time you begin working with clay, stone, or wood, you have alreadysolved the fundamentalproblems of communication andexpression.
ASculptureBornofCrisis
Perhaps no work better exemplifies Hernando's ability to transform universal human experiences into tangible form thanhersculpture'We Are Embrace.'Createdin2020during theglobalpandemic,thispieceemergedfromamomentwhen physical connection became simultaneously precious and dangerous.
The artist's way of seeing the world defines their work and represents the ability to share that emotion in order to make others feel it. “ “
“In the midst of the pandemic, I decided to create a work that would reflect the solidarity that defines who we are as human beings,”shetellsus.Thesculpturewasconceivedasaseries of seven original bronze pieces, designed to connect seven placesinauniversalembrace.Fourhavefoundtheirhomes, andthreestillawaittheirdestinies.
Thisworkrepresentsmorethanaresponsetoaglobalcrisis;it embodies this artist's broader artistic vision: “A sculpture to reflect our essence, with lines full of strength and harmony and a volume that contains all emotions: compassion, help, encounter, and hope,”shedescribes.Thepiecedemonstrates how sculpture can serve as artistic expression and social connection, offering viewers the opportunity to experience collectiveemotionsthroughindividualencounters.
BeyondTraditionalBoundaries
Hernando'sartisticjourneyhasnotbeenlimitedtotraditional sculpture. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to develop the industrialdesignforareversibledouble-walledmug,aproject she called 'C'UP Your Choice on Top!' This venture into functional design taught her valuable lessons about the relationshipbetweenartandbusinesswhileproducingpieces that have become part of the Barcelona Design Museum's permanentcollection.
StayingTrueinaChangingWorld
Inanartworldincreasinglydrivenbymarkettrendsandsocial media visibility, Hernando's commitment to her personal visionstandsout."I am a fully-fledged artist, and that has led me to remain true to what art is for me in each of my creative facets," she tells us. This dedication to authenticity has allowedhertodevelopwhatshecalls“ a language of her own thatconnectswiththeviewer.”
Her approach to contemporary relevance doesn't involve chasing trends but rather deepening her exploration of timeless themes. “Away from trends and fashions, I've been developing my own artistic language, connecting with those who approach my work Over the years, this personal evolution can be appreciated, which gives value to my work,” she explains This philosophy has proven to be both challengingandrewarding,creatingapersonalbodyofwork thatgrowsinsignificanceovertime.
TheEnduringPowerofSculpture
Hernando believes that the power of sculpture lies in its unique relationship with space and time, emphasizing that sculptures are the artistic testaments that have best endured throughout history. While she acknowledges that new materialsandtechnologiescansometimesreducesculptureto mere spectacle, she maintains that its essential qualities remain unchanged.According to her, the three-dimensional nature of sculpture, its physical presence in space, and its invitationtotouchcontributetoitslastingimpact.
This physical presence creates possibilities for connections that other art forms cannot replicate. Balance, beauty, and harmony,accordingtothisartist,aretheaspectsthatendure, and finding ways to convey these qualities remains an excitingchallengeforher
ThinkingAbouttheFuture
Hernando is currently developing a new collection inspired by her poetry trilogy, "I Am. You Are. We Are. Essential Heartbeats." This project incorporates simple technology designed to enhance, rather than replace, the fundamental messageatitscore.Shealsoplanstoproduceadocumentary that delves into the connection between artist and viewer throughthelensoftheartisticprocess.
Art always waits for us to give us a break and allow us to move forward with our challenges. “ “
Her vision for the future includes the strategic use of technology,butonlywhenitcanservethedeeperpurposeof that work, when it truly makes sense and can enhance the messageitconveys."Technologyisanothertoolattheartist's disposal,whichImayincorporateintofutureprojects,whenit bringstruemeaningtotheworkitself.Everythingwillcomein duetime,"sheexplains.
ALegacyofConnection
When asked what she hopes viewers will experience when encounteringhersculpturesacenturyfromnow,Hernando's responserevealsbothhumilityandprofoundhope:“Iwishmy workshadnotlosttheirabilitytomove,offeringtheviewerthe opportunity to stop time and connect. Art always waits for us to give us a break so we can move forward with our challenges.”
ForHernando,beinganartistextendsfarbeyondprofessional designation or mastery of the medium. As she wrote, “The artist's way of seeing the world defines their work and represents the ability to share that emotion in order to make othersfeelit.Aninalienablecommitmenttokeepinguniversal emotionsalive.”
Inanageofrapidchangeanddigitaldistraction,Hernando's sculptures, paintings, and works serve as anchors for lasting humanexperiencesthatinviteustopause,reflect,andconnect with something deeper than the surface of our daily lives. Throughbronzeandstone,pitcherandpencil,shecontinues to speak the universal language of emotion, creating works that remind us of our shared humanity and our capacity for beauty,connection,andhope.
anahernando.com
THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCULPTOR'S APPROACH TO INSTALLATION ART
In today's ever-evolving world of art, the presence of a multidisciplinarysculptorisapowerofchangeshaking old traditions and redefining how we experience art. Withintheirvariedarttoolboxofmedia,installationartisone of the most captivating, provocative, and possibly most affectingmediums.So,whatdoesinstallationartbenefitfrom multidisciplinary sculptors that makes their work stand out fromtherest?
Let us consider now the multidisciplinary nature of this meeting and how cross-disciplinary philosophies and expertise build installations that challenge the human mind andawakenthesoul.
KnowingtheMultidisciplinarySculptor
The multidisciplinary sculptor isn't bound to process or medium. He/she borrows skills from a field as broad as technologyandarchitecture.Occupyingaspacewherehe/she can move across multiple disciplines readies him/her to see beyondthesurfaceofonematerialoridea.He/sheareactually visual storytellers who use space and form not just to create objects,buttocreateexperiences.
Whereas more conventionally trained sculptors might specializeinasingle,focusedmediumsuchasclay,metal,or wood, multidisciplinary artists see all media as coconspirators Their methodology is one of intentional experimentation, and this imbues a richness to dialogue betweenalienatedmediaandintellectualparadigmsthatgive risetothem.
InstallationArt:AMediumMadeforCollaboration
Installation art is a totally immersive medium. It is the creation of objects located within a spatial context that the viewerisencouragedtoenterandmovearoundandthrough physically Installation art has a tendency to call forth a sensory response visual, tactile, auditory, or emotional —and encourages the viewer to become an interactive coparticipantintheartratherthananunengagedspectator.
Thisistheperfectmediumfortheethosofamultidisciplinary sculptor,forthentheycanutilizeittocreateenvironmentsthat aremadeupofsoundscapes,projections,kineticart,oreven augmented reality A space can be filled with light installations that respond to movement or an outdoor giant structure that uses wind currents; in this type of installation art,thereisnostillness.
BeyondForm:Concept,Context,andExperience
Toamultidisciplinaryartist/sculptor,buildinganinstallation is not so much about building a well-designed space. It's communicating in space and bringing the public into a journeyorstory
Contextisalsomostimportantintheirpractice.Site-specific installation can be responded to the history of the location, socio-political context, or environmental concerns An exampleisthatasculptorcantransformavacantwarehouse intoalivinginstallationcomposedofrecycledmaterial,local voicesound,andsunrisingandsettinglighteffects.Thisway, the work is employed as a channel for conversation, contemplation,andcontact.
Because they are interesting to diverse disciplines, these artists will be more inclined to tackle projects as wholes. They may sit down with scientists, engineers, poets, or community members—installations thus enhanced andstronglyevocative.
The Human Touch: Emotion, Memory, andInteraction
Whatmakesinstallationartbyamultidisciplinary sculptorsopowerfulisthatitisabletoevoke feeling.Formandprocessareimportant,tobesure,butit istheemotionalcorethatultimatelywithstandstheyears.
The majority of these sculptors merge elements of public or private memory, fracturing cultural symbols, or public opinion Placing familiar things in unexpected settings triggersnostalgia,unease,curiosity,orastonishment.Thatis whatemotionalsuperimpositionbuildsbetweenthespectator andthesculpture.
Moreover, interactivity is also a requirement. Installations call for movement, touch, and interaction. An artwork may react to the movement of a spectator, to his or her voice, or even beat, generating a unique and dynamic experience for each spectator Such emphasis on participation is a portent that the sculptor seeks to break down barriers between artist andspectator
TechnologyMeetsTradition
Amongthegreateststrengthsofamultidisciplinarysculptor's work is the unifying connection of high-tech and low-tech craftsmanship. They can use hand-carved wood alongside 3D-printed components, or blend millennia-old sewing methodswithmotionsensorsandlightmapping.
The juxtaposition of old and new, along with presenting technical proficiency, highlights thematic polarities—past andfuture,natureandmachine,permanenceandtransience.It renderstheirinstallationscontemporary,relevant,andattuned totheemergingidiomofartinthecontemporaryworld.
In addition to this, technology provides new ways of interaction and narrative. Virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive sound design are ways of enhancingtheimmersivenatureofinstallationart.Tosucha multidisciplinary sculptor, these are not fads but necessary additionstotheartist'stoolkit.
TheLegacyofMultidisciplinaryInstallation
As the art world becomes more and more fascinated with cross-disciplinary creativity, the multidisciplinary sculptor standsasthefigureheadtocarryitallforward.Thesculptor's toil sets the boundaries of what is possible in terms of art—reshapingpublicspace,pushingtheboundariesofsocial convention, and introducing new ways of perceiving and experiencingtheworldaroundus.
All else is their devotion to connection Whatever the medium, message, or methodology, a multidisciplinary sculptor's art always strives to link the dots amongst disciplines,amongstlocations,andamongstpeople.
Installationartisthelifeitselfifdonebyamultidisciplinary sculptor Itissmart,butemotionallystimulatinginamanner thatgetspeoplebreatheandlivewithinthespace.Fusingtheir individualsetofskills,vision,andmedium,theydeliverfully immersive experiences beyond the gallery walls. They redefine sculpture but find again the presence of art in the worldandhowitaffectsit.
Lookingintothefutureofmodernart,wecansafelysaythat themultidisciplinarymovementisnotapassingfadthatwill soon wither—it is a living, evolving presence that continues tocrossbordersofartisticpotential.
The Neuroscience Behind
In the fast-changing world today, artistic consciousness leadership is surfacing as a game-changing style of leadership that combines neuroscience, creativity, and emotional intelligence While the traditional models of leadership are riding high on linear thinking, strategy, and control, artistic consciousness leadership is entering the creative and intuitive streams of the human mind to unleash creativity,empathy,andauthentichumanconnection.
But what does neuroscience add to this new leadership approach, and why is it picking up steam in every type of business?
TheConceptofArtisticConsciousnessLeadership
Artistic consciousness leadership is a philosophy that promotes art, awareness, and consciousness into leadership action. It is motivated by the method artists perceive, read, and respond to the world not by codes, but by imagination, sensitivity, and richness of feeling. This style of leadership prioritizes presence over performance, connection over command,andauthenticityoverauthority.
Compared to the typical leaders who might be potentially dependent only on rational thought, artistic consciousness leaders are accessing their entire brain utilizing their logical left brain and their creative right brain Neuroscience vindicates this entire process by showing how the various regions of the brain are being engaged in developing the complex abilities required in contemporary leadership: empathy,vision,decision-making,andflexibility.
TheBrain'sFunctioninCreativityandIntuition
Neuroscientists have studied quite well the relationship between the brain's default mode network (DMN) and creativity.TheDMNisengagedwhenthemindisinthestates of reflection,daydreaming,and mind-wanderingstates most stronglyassociatedwithintrospectionandcreativethinking. Leaderswhointentionallyengagethisnetworkwillbemore likely to generate new ideas, creative solutions, and visions forthefuture.
Artistic consciousness leadership provides space for this meetingbymakingtimeforsilence,reflection,andemotionprocessing.
Rather than being "in executive mode" constantly, these leaderscarefullystepintotheirinnerworldandbecomeselfknowingandthenusethisself-knowledgetosteertheirouter action. This equilibrium increases what neuroscience calls cognitive flexibility, or the capacity to shift thinking and behavior according to fresh information or unforeseen detours.
EmotionalIntelligenceandMirrorNeurons
Another cornerstone of artistic consciousness leadership is emotional intelligence; a discipline deeply grounded in neuroscience. Mirror neurons, for instance, enable us to empathize with other people's feelings because they essentially mirror their emotions within our own brains. Mirror neurons are strongest in human relationships and particularlypotentinleaderswhovalueemotionalresonance.
Artistic consciousness leaders draw on this native coding to establish trust, construct safety psychologically, and initiate collaboration.Theylikewiseavoidfearofvulnerability,deep listening,andemotionalvalidationoftheiremployees.Such leaders are not only excellent at managing people but also healthier,moreinnovativeworkplaces.
TheScienceofFlowStatesinLeadership
Flow state the term used by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a psychological state of increased concentration, absorption, and heightened attention Neuroscience defines flow as a recognizable state where different brain systems come into contact with each other, suchastheprefrontalcortex(choice),limbicsystem(feeling), andmotorcortex(action).
Self-reflective leadership in the arts has the impact of inducingflowbothintheleaderandintheleader'steam.By being experimental, open, and intrinsically motivated, such leadersprovideroomforpeopletogetlostinsignificantwork. Atsuchamoment,themostincrediblecreativityisunleashed, and optimal performance becomes a normal occurrence insteadofararity.
RewiringtheBrainforConsciousLeadership
Neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to reorganize itself in responsetolearning,holdspotentialforleaderswhowishto cultivate artistic sensitivity. Neural development in compassion, wisdom, and creative areas is fueled by mindfulnessmeditation,writing,andartsparticipation.
As leaders integrate artistic practice into their everyday life music,visualart,writing,ormerelynoticingaesthetics—they establish neural pathways to balance, resilience, and visionarythinking.Gradually,theybuildaleadershipidentity that is creatively empowered and neurologically attuned to thesubtletiesofhumanrelationships.
Real-WorldApplicationsandBenefits
These organizations that adopt artistic consciousness leadership are more innovative, more engaged, and more joyful IDEO, Google, and Pixar all combine art and thoughtfulcontemplationintheircompanyculturetestimony thatwhenartandneuroscienceconverge,itisnotjusttheory butareality
Thisisthekindofleadershipthatemergesintimesofcrisis. Insteadofreactingwithrigidityorfear,artisticconsciousness leaders react with purpose, empathy, and imagination. They can move beyond today's chaos and search for possibilities, constructingpsychologicalequanimityoutofturmoil.
TheHumanTouchofArtisticConsciousness
What truly distinguishes artistic consciousness leadership is thatit'shuman-centered.Itknowsthatleadershipismorethan aboutdrivingoutcomes,butalsoinspiringspirits,energizing potential,andwieldinggenuineinfluence.It'shumansbefore processesandunderstandthatthegenesisofinnovationliesin connection,notcompetition.
As the secrets of the human brain are unfolded by neuroscience, more and more it becomes evident that the futureleaderwillbeonewhohasaninterestinconsciousness, notcontrol,andimagination,notconformity
Conclusion
Conscious leadership is a visionary redefinition of 21stcenturyleadership.Basedonneurosciencebutdrivenbysoul, leadership calls leaders out of transactional and into transformationalspace.Bybalancingbrainsciencewithheart depth,leaderscanbecomebiggerversionsofthemselvesand their people and behold new levels of performance, connection,andpurpose.
Inthisworldthatoftenseemssofracturedanddisconnected, thisisthekindofleadershipwecandeploy:areminderthatit's possibleanddeeplypotenttoleadwithheadandheart.
For Subscrip on: www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
www.x.com/insightssuccess
