Born in Havana, Cuba, Carmen Herrera moved to New York City in the mid-1950s, where she became a fixture of the local art scene. Despite a long career spent developing her distinct visual language, she achieved widespread critical and institutional acclaim only in her later years.

Her practice was defined by a rigorous commitment to geometric abstraction, characterized by bold color blocking and precise, minimalist compositions. Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, she explored the interplay between form, line, and space, often utilizing a limited palette to emphasize structural clarity.

Herrera’s legacy continues to be celebrated through major institutional presence, including her inclusion in the inaugural collection installation at the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA in 2026.