STATEMENT:
I work with my hands before I work with ideas. Canvas, industrial fabric, wood, metal, objects that have already had a life: I cut, fold, sew, wash, rub, scratch, bend. The material often decides as much as I do. It has its own limits, resistances and accidents, and I have learned to trust that negotiation rather than begin with a fixed plan. My abstraction does not begin as a language imposed on matter. It grows out of contact with it. That physical encounter is at the centre of everything I do.
What I bring into the studio is rarely a picture. More often, it is something that has stayed with me: two pieces of discarded copper; the low ceilings and foil greys of a hotel basement where I worked full-time for years; a telegraph station that once held the cable to an island; a flower in an English garden. Ordinary life leaves these fragments behind, and I carry them with me. In the studio they become metaphors, worked through paint and objects rather than described. The titles leave the door open. What matters is what happens to the image once it has passed through my hands.
Time is my main collaborator. I build surfaces slowly, in layers and washes that sink into the weave, and through frottage, lifting the texture of one thing onto another. I scrape, sand and wash back until the surface begins to carry its own history. I do not oxidise the materials; what looks like weathering is painted, patiently, so that the passage of time feels made rather than suffered. Surfaces age the way we scar; we change, and the work changes with us. This is why my abstraction is autobiographical: it is a portrait of time through my skin.
Some of the objects I bring into the work arrive already used, and I do not try to conceal that history. What I add sits alongside what was already there. This connects to a question I keep returning to: what we consume, what we decide is finished, and how quickly we agree that something no longer counts. I resist that idea. A piece of discarded, corroded copper pipe; a strip of canvas, the offcut of a painting just finished; a small, beautifully broken piece of wood found in an attic: these things still belong to the world. Everything is matter, and everything matters. In my work, matter does not die; it simply changes body.
The work asks for silence. I want the surface to be looked at slowly, the way you listen for a change you can feel before you can name it. In that quiet, the painting and the person standing in front of it are both still changing, both made of the same material world, both a little further along than they were before.
BIO
Silvia Lerín (born in Valencia, Spain) lives and works in Valencia and London.
Her work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including Académie des Beaux-Arts, Pavillon Comtesse de Caen, Paris, Collection Lambert, Avignon, CCCC Museum, Valencia, Sala La Muralla, IVAM, Valencia, MACUF, A Coruña, Casa de América, Madrid and County Hall Gallery, London.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and grants, among them the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, New York, the Freelands Foundation Emergency Grant, United Kingdom and the Annex Collection Award, United Kingdom among others.
Lerín has been invited to prestigious international residencies, including The Florence Trust, London, 2016–17, Eastside International ESXLA, Los Angeles, 2018, La Casa de Velázquez – Académie de France à Madrid, 2020–21 and, more recently, the Fundació Miró Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 2021.
In recent years, she has increasingly realised large-scale installations for festivals, art trails, and public commissions, creating works that respond to the heritage, architecture, and cultural fabric of their sites. In 2025, she was commissioned to create a major installation for the Bute Street Festival (UK). The work consisted of multiple unstretched canvases suspended in parallel, evoking curtains of opacity and censorship imposed by powerful forces, yet offering a positive counterpoint: cuts in the canvas invited viewers to look beyond, reclaiming a sense of critical observation and empathy.
In 2024, Lerín was commissioned to realise a monumental mural in Luton Town Centre, United Kingdom, measuring 47 metres long by 12 metres high. Executed in silicate paint with an intricate geometric layout, the work celebrated the town’s multicultural vitality, symbolising lutonians as gemstones in need of recognition.
In 2019, she was one of seven international artists—including Harriet Hill and Evy Jokhova—commissioned by Art in the Churches (AitC) for an Arts Council England-funded art trail in Yorkshire. For this project she realised a 10-metre-high installation. The work was featured on the BBC.
Her works form part of numerous collections worldwide. A selection of these include: Fundació Miró Mallorca Collection; the Annex Collection, United Kingdom; the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grantee Image Collection; Contemporary Art Museum, Pego, Spain; MACVAC, Villafamés, Castellon; Col·lecció d’Art del Museu d´Història de Manacor; Generalitat Valenciana Art Collection, Valencia; Municipal art gallery of Langreo, Asturias, Spain; the San Carlos Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Valencia; the Juan Gil Albert Institution, Alicante; Bancaja Foundation, Valencia; Mainel Foundation, Valencia; Fundación Díaz Caneja, Palencia; the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Sparkasse Mainz,Germany, Mainfirst Bank, London; Art Collection of Caja Rural de Torrente, Valencia and the Pilar Citoler Collection, Spain;
CV
GRANTS, PRIZES AND RESIDENCIES | A selection
2025 A-N Bursary 2025, UK
2024 First Prize, XXVII Visual Arts Award MANACOR 2024, Manacor, Palma de Mallorca, Spain*
2023 A-N Bursary 2023, UK
2021 Bursary Residency, Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton, UK (one year)
2020 Casa de Velázquez Residency, Madrid, Spain (one year)
2020 The Freelands Foundation Emergency Grant, UK
2018 Eastside International Los Angeles Residency, Los Angeles, USA
2017 The Annex Collection Acquisition Award 17, UK
2016 The Florence Trust Residency, London, UK (one year)
2013 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, New York, USA
2013 Residency, Prairie Center of the Arts, Peoria, IL, USA
2012 Grant for Promotion of Contemporary Art, Spanish Ministry of Culture
2011 First Prize, XII Premio Nacional Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos de Valencia, Valencia, Spain*
2011 First Prize, XLII Salón de Otoño Premio Ateneo Mercantil de Valencia, Valencia, Spain*
2011 Grant for Promotion of Contemporary Art, Spanish Ministry of Culture
2010 First Prize, XI Painting Award Meliana, IMC of Meliana, Valencia, Spain*
2010 Special Honorary Mention, XLI Awards Ciudad de Alcalá de Pintura, Antiguo Hospital de Sta M. La Rica, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain*
2009 Pilar Juncosa Grant, Joan Miró Graphic Art Workshops, Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation, Mallorca, Spain
2008 Grant for Promotion of Contemporary Art, Spanish Ministry of Culture
2007 Acquisition Prize, National Prize ART NALÓN 2007 in Visual Arts, Langreo, Asturias, Spain
2007 First Prize, 24th Award Concello de Cambre, Cambre, A Coruña, Spain*
2007 First Prize, XII Award Concello de Cangas – Arte No Morrazo, Cangas, Pontevedra, Spain*
2007 Grant ‘Alnorte’, Diario El Comercio, Gijón, Spain
2007 Honorary Mention, Born3, III Convocatoria de Arte, Galería Casaborne, Antequera, Málaga, Spain
2006 First Prize, XI Certamen de Pintura Salvador Soria, Benissa, Alicante, Spain*
2006 First Prize, 3ª Painting Biennial Associació Amics de Cristòfor Aguado, Picassent, Valencia, Spain*
2005 First Prize, XXIX Certamen Nacional de Pintura Vila de Pego, Pego, Alicante, Spain*
2002 First Prize, Huestes del Cadí (XXIII Contest Minicuadros), Elda, Alicante, Spain*
2001 First Prize, XVI Painting Contest Vila de Puçol, Puçol, Valencia, Spain*
2000 Acquisition Prize, J. Segrelles XIII National Painting Awards Albaida, Albaida, Valencia, Spain*
1999 First Prize, National Painting Award Castellón, Castellón, Spain
1999 First Prize, II Painting Award Mainel Foundation, Valencia, Spain*
1999 First Prize, I Contest Manuel Valdés, Altura, Castellón, Spain
SOLO EXHIBITIONS | A selection
2025 Flowers. Saturation Point Projects, London. UK
2025 Circuito Cerrado. Galleria Espai Nivi, Cullá, Castellon. Spain.
2024 Through the Sea. Casa del Cable. Jávea. Alicante. Spain.
2022 Road of Life. Galeria Llamazares. Gijón. Asturias. Spain.
2021 Full-Time Labyrinth. Outpost Gallery. Norwich. UK
2021 Oxide. Galeria Cuatro. Valencia. Spain
2021 Copper Landscapes. Galeria Puxa. Madrid. Spain
2019 Copper Skin. Galeria Cuatro. Valencia. Spain
2016 Inspired by an English Garden. Shiras Gallery. Valencia. Spain
2015 Mind the gap. Horizon Gallery. Colera. Girona. Spain
2013 Conversation with the building. Prairie Center of the Arts. Peoria. IL. US
2012 Risse. Skulpturen und Bilder von Silvia Lerín. Mainzer Rathausgalerie. Mainz. Germany
2012 Irregulares.Origen. Municipal Exhibition Hall of Algemesi Casino Lliberal. Algemesí. Valencia. Spain *
2011 Silvia Lerín. Malerei und Grafik. Sophien – Edition Gallery. Berlin. Germany
2010 No sólo papel. Ibercaja´s Exhibition Hall. Valencia. Spain *
2009 Hendiduras en la materia. Exhibition Hall at the Palau de la Música. Valencia. Spain *
2009 Pielpintura / Paint-Skin. CMAE. Municipal Center for the Arts and Exhibitions. Avilés. Asturias. Spain *
2009 Hendiduras. Exhibitions Hall ” Centro 14 “. Alicante. Spain *
2008 Silvia Lerín. Malerei. Sophien – Edition Gallery. Berlin. Germany
2007 Silvia Lerín. Exhibitions Hall Aula CAM La Llotgeta. Valencia. Spain *
2005 Silvia Lerín. La Nave Gallery. Valencia. Spain
2005 Silvia Lerín. Malerei. Sophien – Edition Gallery. Berlin. Germany
2004 Intersecciones. Exhibitions Hall in the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Spain *
2002 Silvia Lerín. Malerei. Sophien – Edition Gallery. Berlin. Germany
1998 Silvia Lerín. Cuatro Gallery. Valencia. Spain
GROUP EXHIBITIONS | A selection
2025 ‘Shape Shifters´. Myymälä2. Helsinki. Finland
2023 ‘XXIII EAC 2023’. MUA. Museu de la University d’Alacant. Alicante. Spain
2024 ‘Small Things With Big Ideas’. White Conduit Projects. London. UK | Curated by Yuki Miyake and Paul Carey-Kent
2023 ‘Wandel & Veränderung’. Green Hill Gallery. Berlin. Germany
2023 ‘Perpetual Arrival’. Platform A Gallery. Middlesbrough. UK. | Curated by Saturation Point and Eric Butcher.
2023 ‘Integrated responses’. White Conduit Projects. London. UK | Curated by Yuki Miyake and Paul Carey-Kent
2022 ¡Viva Villa! Ce à quoi nous tenons. Collection Lambert. Avignon. France | Curated by Victorine Grataloup and Stéphane Ibars
2022 Horizon + 30. Galeria Horizon. Colera. Spain. 20 Aug – 30 Sept 2022
2022 Kamen, makaze, papir. Kulturni Centar Novor Sada. Novi Sad. Serbia. | Curated by Maja Erdeljanin and Begoña Ramos
2022 Art Contemporani de la Generalitat Valenciana IV. Centro Cultural Las Cigarreras. Alicante. Spain.
2022 Itinérance. Académie des beaux-arts, Pavillon Comtesse de Caen. Paris . France.
2021 Art Contemporani de la Generalitat Valenciana. Espai d’Art Contemporani de Castelló. Castellón. and CCCC de València. Spain
2021 Itinérance. Casa de Velázquez. Madrid. Spain
2021 Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. London. UK
2021 Arte Alnorte XX Semana de Arte Contemporáneo. Sala Sabadell Herrero. Oviedo. Asturias. Spain.
2021 Artslibris. Casa de Velázquez stand. ARCO Contemporary Art Fair. Madrid. Spain.
2020 De lo tangible a lo etéreo. Puxa Gallery. Madrid. Spain
2019 Matter. County Hall Gallery London. UK. | Curated by Scan Arte, WeCollectClub and Spain Now
2019 VIA ARTS PRIZE 2019 – Sala Brasil Gallery. Embassy of Brazil. London. UK
2019 Aspects of Red. Galeria Horizon. Colera. Spain
2018 ArtWorks Open 2018. ArtWorks Project Space. London. UK | Curated by Emma Talbot & Tai Shani
2018 NN Open Exhibition. NN’s Gallery. Northampton. UK
2018 The London Art Fair. Stand P18b Joanna Bryant and Julian Page. London. UK
2017 Manchester Contemporary. Joanna Bryant and Julian Page. Manchester. UK
2017 THE FLORENCE TRUST Summer Show. The Florence Trust. London. UK. | Curated by Ashlee Conery and Paul Bayley *
2016 Artworks Open 2015. Artworks Project Space. London. UK | Curated by Paul Johnson and Jonathan Baldock.
2016 SPAIN NOW!. 12 Star Gallery. European House. London. UK.
2016 Playroom. Union Club Studios. London. U.K. | Curated by Olga Mackenzie and Sasha Galitzine
2015 Shaped in Mexico. Bargehouse. Oxo Tower. London. UK
2013 Room Art 2013. CCCC Museum. Valencia. Spain *
2012 Biennal d´Art 2012. Museu d´Art Modern de Tarragona. Tarragona. Spain *
2011 Art Helsinki 2011. Uusitalo Gallery. Helsinki. Finnland
2011 Begegnungen. Badisches Kunstforum. Ebringen. Freiburg. Germany
2011 Billnäs Bruk. Uusitalo Gallery. Billnäs. Finnland
2008 Arte Alnorte. Cajastur Cultural Centre Revillagigedo Palace Gijón. Asturias. Spain *
2008 X Mostra Unión Fenosa. Museum of Contemporary Art Unión Fenosa. A Coruña. Spain *
2008 X Painting Awards Honda – La Garriga 08. Barcelona. Spain *
2007 Kesänäyttely 2007. Galería Uusitalo. Helsinki. Finnland
2004 VIII Mostra Unión Fenosa. MACUF. A Coruña. Spain *
2004 XXXII Premio Bancaja. Sala La Muralla. IVAM. Valencia. Spain *
2003 Nuevas Propuestas. La Nave Gallery. Valencia. Spain
2002 Generación 2002-Premio Caja Madrid. Casa de América. Madrid. Spain *
2001 Premio Joven 2001. Museum of the Education & Culture Ministry. Madrid. Spain *
2001 10 Jahre Galería Sophien – Edition. Sophien – Edition Gallery. Berlin. Germany
2000 XXVII Award Bancaja. Sala La Muralla. IVAM. Valencia. Spain *
2000 Al Acecho. Anthropologic Museum of Madrid. Madrid. Spain *
1999 The End of the Beginning. Horizon Gallery. Colera. Girona. Spain
1998 I Meeting Contemporary Art (E.A.C.). Alicante. Spain *
1997 XXIV Award Bancaja. Bancaja Foundation. Valencia. Spain *
COMMISSIONS | A selection
2025 Talk at Bedfordshire University. UK
2025 Commission for ‘Bute Street Festival’. Luton. Bedfordshire. UK.
2024 Commission for an outdoors artwork (47m x 12 m). Luton. UK. Public Art Commission by Luton Council, Luton BID, Luton Point and The Culture Trust.
2024 Talk at the Hat Factory Theatre as part of the ‘Bute Stree Festival’. Luton. UK
2022 Talk at Bedfordshire University. UK
2014 Spain NOW. 6th Season of Contemporary Art and Culture from Spain. Open Studios and Talk. 7 till 9 Nov. London. UK
2013 Commission (60 x 111 in./ 151 x 282 cm.) for a mural in a private flat. Valencia. Spain
2012 Commission for the entrance of a Council Building. Gandía. Valencia. Spain
2010 Mural commission for a two-level parking garage (approx. 16,000 sq. feet). Casino Cirsa of Valencia, Spain
2010 Commission for a Vinyl design for an Institute. El Puig. Valencia. Spain
2007 Commission for an outdoors artwork at the garden of the Pinacoteca Municipal de Langreo. Langreo. Asturias. Spain *
COLLECTIONS | A selection
Her works form part of numerous collections worldwide. A selection of these include: Fundació Miró Mallorca Collection; the Annex Collection, United Kingdom; the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grantee Image Collection; Contemporary Art Museum, Pego, Spain; MACVAC, Villafamés, Castellon; Col·lecció d’Art del Museu d´Història de Manacor; Generalitat Valenciana Art Collection, Valencia; Municipal art gallery of Langreo, Asturias, Spain; the San Carlos Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Valencia; the Juan Gil Albert Institution, Alicante; Bancaja Foundation, Valencia; Mainel Foundation, Valencia; Fundación Díaz Caneja, Palencia; the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Sparkasse Mainz,Germany, Mainfirst Bank, London; Art Collection of Caja Rural de Torrente, Valencia; Pilar Citoler Collection, Spain; Council of Cangas do Morrazo, Pontevedra; Council of Cambre, A Coruña; Ibercaja Art Collection, Zaragoza and Valencia; O.A.M. Art Collection, Valencia; City Halls of Altura and Castellón,Castellón), Valencia, Albaida, Mislata, Meliana, Picassent, Puçol (Valencia), Benissa, Torrevieja, Alicante (Alicante) and Cambrils (Tarragona); Clínica Baviera (Zaragoza and Valencia); Ateneo Mercantil de Valencia; Fundació Privada Vallès Oriental, Granollers (Barcelona); and Club Diario Levante, Valencia.
