Carmen Herrera, Untitled (Red and White)

Carmen Herrera (1915-2022) was a pioneering Cuban-American abstract artist known for her vibrant and geometric compositions that transcend the boundaries of traditional artistic conventions. With a career spanning over eight decades, Herrera has become a beacon of resilience and creativity in the art world. Carmen Herrera‘s artistic journey began in Havana, Cuba, where she studied architecture at the Universidad de La Habana. This early exposure to design and structure profoundly influenced her later work, as seen in the precise lines and meticulous compositions that characterize her paintings. In 1939, she moved to New York City, a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of her artistic exploration. Despite facing numerous challenges and navigating a male-dominated art scene, Carmen Herrera remained steadfast in her commitment to abstraction. It wasn’t until the late 2000s, in her 80s, that she gained widespread recognition for her contributions to the art world. Today she is considered a major figure in geometric abstraction and minimalism, alongside the likes of Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Martin and Frank Stella. Herrera’s artistry extends beyond the canvas; she is a master of spatial relationships and a sculptor of the visual realm. Her paintings, with their crisp lines and carefully chosen color palettes, evoke a sense of clarity and order. Herrera’s dedication to her craft and her unwavering commitment to abstraction challenge the notion that artistic success is confined to youth, proving that creativity knows no age. In 2016, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City held a major retrospective of Herrera’s work, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the art world.