ABOUT
Lauren Camara is a self-taught artist and graphic designer based in the Bronx. She creates art exclusively with paper, reflecting her passion for blending colors, textures, and patterns to mirror life's contrasts and contradictions. Lauren’s artistic journey with paper started when she began repurposing paper swatches received from printing companies, initially provided for selection in graphic design projects. Her earliest works featured a diverse range of subjects, including portraits, self-portraits, animals, and architecture, all small in scale. Over time, Lauren's work has evolved into much larger pieces, with a focus now solely on portraits.
Lauren’s work is created from meticulously cut paper, layered together to create graphic and colorful portraits. Utilizing a blend of handmade fine paper, premium print paper, wallpaper, scrap paper, and wrapping paper, she weaves together bold color schemes, intricate patterns, and diverse textures, creating unexpected pairings.
She captures the essence of the people she meets through her vibrant and deeply personal works of art. Lauren draws inspiration from the unique stories of people, with a particular focus on members of the New York City community, as well as her diverse family, music, spirituality, identity, social issues, and personal life experiences. Lauren uses the medium of paper as a powerful storytelling tool.
Lauren has exhibited her work in various venues, including Art on the Ave NYC, Warburton Galerie, KRVC, Yonkers Arts, and has pieces permanently displayed in residential buildings in the Bronx. Lauren is one of eight New York City artists selected by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs for City Canvas, a program that transforms sidewalk sheds, construction fences, and building facades into platforms for local artists across the five boroughs. The Paper Source, a purveyor of handcrafted paper from around the world, has recognized Lauren as a featured artist for her innovative use of paper. Additionally, she is a featured artist in BX200, the premier directory for visual artists living and working in the Bronx. Her work is also part of The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx.
Her art is born from the spontaneous rhythms of daily life. Chance encounters and intriguing conversations with community members have served as inspiration for many of Lauren's creations. Whether sparked by someone's unique style, an engaging conversation, the movement of a gesture, or the subtleties of an expression, Lauren transforms the everyday into art. Her portraits are more than just images—they embody the beauty found in the unexpected. Each piece invites viewers to connect with a unique narrative behind every face and moment.
Lauren hopes her work sparks conversations with those who encounter it. Her art is not just about aesthetics; it's about telling the stories of the people and communities that inspire her, infused with a deep sense of empathy and connection.
