Carmen Herrera

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Carmen Herrera is an American abstract, minimalist painter. She was born in Havana and has lived in New York City since the mid-1950s. Herrera's abstract works have brought her international recognition late in life. She turned 104 last year. Her signature style is geometric abstractions pared-down paintings of just two colors and infinite spatial complications. Initially she was trained as an architect and keeps the mantra “less is more”. She not only considers whether she likes a color, but also what it does to the other colors involved and whether there is a way to reduce the composition of the work to improve it.

 

Workshop

We will engage with abstract forms and the color wheel to create simple striking compositions. By simplifying shapes and choosing only two colors students will see that they can also use the mantra ‘less is more’.

1. Draw with your pencil & ruler some large and simple shapes (triangles, rectangles, etc) on your newsprint

2. Choose one PRIMARY color (red, yellow, or blue) and choose one SECONDARY color (orange, green, or purple) for each shape

3. Cut-out the shapes you drew with the colored paper

4. Tape or glue the colored paper back on to the newsprint to create your geometric abstraction

Materials

• Newsprint

• Scissors

• Colored Paper

• Ruler

• Pencil

• Tape or Glue

Follow Up

What does geometric abstraction mean?

What shapes did you use to create your composition/artwork?

How did your shapes work together?

What colors look good next to each other?

What do we mean when we talk about secondary and primary colors?

Do you like minimal artwork?

How many artworks did you make?

 

"You cannot talk about art.

You have to art about art.”

–Carmen Herrera

 
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Corita Kent