The Figures Are Everyone and No One — René Romero Schuler
Romero
Schuler
"The figures are everyone and no one. The meaning lies in the representation of the image, not the face value itself."
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 her work, 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. Her 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.
You had a recent solo exhibition, Une Femme Forte, at 812 Royal Gallery in New Orleans. What does it mean to be a strong woman in these times?
What does that mean at any time? I don't believe the answer changes across history. To me, being a strong woman means tapping into the part of yourself that feels most brave, grounded, capable, and whole. We all get weighed down, by self-criticism, by labels, by fear, by the quiet narratives that diminish us. It can be incredibly difficult to focus on what makes us feel powerful in our own skin. Strength, then, is a return. A remembering. It's the ability to stand up to life. To be fully present, fully yourself.
Did you deliberately seek out to explore femininity in your practice or did you arrive at it over time?
It arrived over time, but once I found it, it never left. I feel a deep responsibility to advocate for women and girls. My work is in many ways a message: "I see you. I understand. You are beautiful." More of us need to believe that about ourselves, myself included. The desire to feel seen and understood is primal. I carry a lifetime of experiences that inform that understanding, and I try to translate that into something others can feel when they encounter the work.
"I dig deep. I go to the dark and uncomfortable places that made me. The things that broke me and break me still. I explore and unravel."
Your work exists between figuration and abstraction, precision and roughness. What do you find compelling about this in-between space?
I think we all exist in that in-between space, and we are constantly navigating the dualities of being human. Light and dark, strength and vulnerability, joy and sorrow. In my work, I explore this tension deliberately. The figures are loosely rendered, both present and elusive, so that they are not fixed identities but open reflections. Anyone can find themselves within them. The texture matters deeply to me. It holds the weight of lived experience: the messiness, the imperfection, the residue of life itself.
What is your relationship like with these figures? Do you view them as characters or expressions of your own experiences?
They begin as expressions of my own experience, but they don't remain mine. As they take shape, they become independent, standing tall, graceful, resilient. In a way, they restore balance. They hold strength where I may feel fragility. They become embodiments of the equilibrium I am searching for.
Do you embrace the process of creating or is it something you have to negotiate with?
I create in the same way that I walk or breathe. Creating is as natural to me as breathing. It isn't something I choose, it's something I am. Whether the work succeeds or fails almost feels secondary. I simply cannot not do it.
What does it mean to you to be an artist during times such as these?
I have always been an artist. Even as a child, I was "René, the artist." And times, there are always "times." There is always unrest, injustice, and suffering. Of course, these realities weigh on me. Everything I experience is absorbed and transformed in the work. Lately, what has surfaced most profoundly is the enduring injustice faced by women. My focus has sharpened into a desire to be a voice, an advocate for that shared experience. Each piece carries fragments of my story. In the act of creating, there is catharsis, healing, release, and ultimately a sense of grounding and empowerment. It's a powerful, almost alchemical process.
Any other projects on the horizon?
I have a new book, One Hundred Paintings, being released in June, with a launch in New York City. I'm also collaborating with the clothing brand Frank & Eileen which will be launched alongside the book. More details will be shared on my Instagram @reneromeroschuler.
One Hundred Paintings launches June 2025 in New York City, alongside a collaboration with clothing brand Frank & Eileen. Follow @reneromeroschuler for updates.
