Inspired by Nature

16th November 22 - By Nikolai Kotlarczyk, Creative Projects Manager

Get to know our artists in this series of studio visits and artist interviews. In this episode, say hello to Berenice Hernandez, a Mexican artist from Monterrey as she is interviewed by our creative projects and curation manager Nikolai Kotlarczyk.

Interview with Berenice Hernandez, Monterrey MX. 2022.

To shop Berenice's art prints jump to this page here.

The work of Berenice Hernandez stands on its own. Colourful and graphic, her portfolio of work takes inspiration from a childhood spent in the vibrancy of Mexico City, and a career in art direction and graphic design. These two worlds come together to produce a growing collection of motifs combining the hand and digital techniques.

Situated between the mountains and the desert of Mexico’s north, Hernandez’ studio sits within the bustling industrial city of Monterrey. Being situated so close to the American border, Monterrey is a true mix of Mexican and American influences. Rather than directing her work into a diluted interpretation of both cultures, a sense of nostalgia has crept into Hernandez’ work – an almost longing for the colour and vibrancy of her childhood in the Mexican capital and the countries south.

Nikolai:
You are the first artist from Mexico to join our collection. How does your homeland influence your work, do you see something particularly Mexican within it?

Berenice:

Definitely.

When I started painting, it was important for me to connect with my roots and with the Mexico that I lived when I was a child. I currently live in Monterrey, an industrial city with a strong influence of American culture. So it was important for me to create a kind of refuge where I could reinterpret the shapes, textures and colors that I absorbed in my experiences in the center and south of my country when I was young. The little houses in the countryside, the old colonial buildings, the exuberant vegetation, the colors and textures of the fruits.All these shapes and textures are part of my visual imagination and I constantly use them to take and reinterpret them.

Nikolai:
Colour is obviously a big part of your first collection. Can you tell me a little about your use of colour for the collection?

Berenice:
There is a lot of experimentation behind the colors obtained. My intention was to create a harmonious contrast in each piece. That is why I chose very vibrant colors in contrast to some more neutral ones such as brown, beige or terracotta.

Nikolai:
Can you please tell me a little bit about your studio’s process? I know you like to experiment with new techniques and materials when creating your compositions.

Berenice:
One of the phrases that I learned in my communication career is "The medium is the message" which I fully apply when deciding the reproduction format of an image. This premise is what has led me to experiment with different techniques and formats such as linoleum engraving, plasticity on canvas and even to reproduce pieces in handmade wool textiles.

Nikolai:
Please tell me a bit about your new collection for Paper Collective? Where did the inspiration come from and how did you produce the latest pieces?

Berenice:
Inspiration always comes to me from the shapes of nature. For example, I like to observe the arrangement of the leaves on a branch and I am amazed by the way in which they are creating an organized and at the same time chaotic structure.

The process involves a lot of sketching; At first on paper and pencil to define the draw,then in digital I test the color palette and finally decide the support on which the pieces will look best.