LUMINARIES - Featuring Artist René Romero Schuler

René Romero Schuler is an American painter and sculptor who creates powerful images that speak to the complexities of the human condition and the spirit that connects all human beings.

Feminine figures are a constant in Schuler’s art, which she claims is equal parts self-portraiture and depictions of the range of emotions she has experienced. Her challenging childhood imbues her work with an appreciation for the universal yet essentially intimate struggles and triumphs of human existence. In her quest for a feeling of connection, Schuler speaks to global and societal issues that impact us all.

Schuler’s paintings and sculptures are purposely semi-abstract and textured, rendering them open to interpretation by the viewer. Their power lies in the layers of applied materials scraped, carved and incised by hand and the elusive quality of the figures – wholistically beautiful but symbolic of the scars and flaws that shape individuals.

Currently represented by galleries across the U.S., Canada and Europe, Schuler has had major exhibitions throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has work included in the permanent collections of numerous museums and institutions.

“Spirit is what connects all of humanity. Yet, the innate human nature that drives us to judge one another based on nothing more than face value is a notion that fascinates me and thoroughly influences my work.

In every work I create, I strive to show the imperfection, stress and underlying beauty of the being I portray. There are no fine characteristics or clearly defined attributes to my figures — they are everyone and no one. The meaning lies in the representation of the image, not the image or the “face value” itself.

With a fluid and meditative approach to my work, this understanding emerges — our inner beauty transcends the physical, emotional and mental barriers that our life experiences have created within us. I hope to tap into the need to realize and embrace that transcendence with work deeply connected to my soul, and I attempt to convey that truth in everything I do."