Lorena Herrero

Mark making is a recurrent topic in Lorena’s practice either through drawings, printmaking or paintings. In her own words: ‘There is something about this technique that fascinates me: I love the way I can get completely lost in the process in a kind of meditative stage. I can tap into my inner self and explore the unconsciousness through the process of making’. 

Intaglio, ink, graphite or charcoal, each medium has different properties and therefore  mark making has different processes and results depending on the medium. Letting the medium to take control she sometimes only responds to it to create abstract compositions.

During the lockdown and the physical restrictions of movement living in a small apartment and without access to a printing press, Lorena’s practice became more creative in a way.  The limitations of the resources and materials available at home shaped her work exploring new directions and expanding to new print techniques and other processes not directly associated with printmaking which often involved ordinary objects at hand. 

Her work has become more sculptural and abstract often just limited to black and white. She is exploring the 3D dimensional possibilities in a way that is both playful and natural to her. This new approach sets her on an expansive and active inner journey exploring the notion of freedom, identity, places or the idea of home. 

On her early work Lorena developed as an artist printmaker using the very traditional intaglio printmaking techniques. Her early etching prints often represent a mixture between a realistic world and a fantastic dimension where nature and urban spaces come together.

Geometry was very much present in her printmaking practice. She feels very much drawn to concepts such as lines, forms, symmetry and asymmetry, shapes and dimensions. ‘Geometry offers a kind of comfort’, she describes, using lines or simple shapes as a starting point in the creative process, a certain sense of control at the beginning of the printmaking process that then evolves and develops into a more dynamic stage with elements of unpredictability and randomness that lead to the final artwork. 

As her artistic exploration continues, Lorena studies the making processes throughout various forms such as monoprints, sculpture, drawing, etc . The idea of mark making which is central to her practice. She continues experimenting and pushing the boundaries of printmaking. An inquisitive look to the idea of print in its broader sense.   

Lorena Herrero has taken part in many group exhibitions across the UK with other fellow artist printmakers. Her work has been selected in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair and the International Original Print at the Bankside Gallery. Her prints can be found as part of the Victoria & Albert permanent print collection.

Lorena Herrero has been a member keyholders of East London Printmakers since 2012 and recently joined the board of Directors. She is part of Barbican Arts Group Trust and a proud member of Eight Women Print, an art group founded in 2020 with the aim to offer support and creative stimulation.  Her studio is in East London and open to everyone interested in her work.