Lauren Camara is a Bronx-based, self-taught artist and graphic designer who creates layered portraits made entirely from carefully cut paper. Her work grows out of everyday encounters and quiet, often overlooked moments, turning them into colorful visual stories that feel both personal and familiar. She is drawn to the small, meaningful details that shape people’s lives, and her portraits reflect the idea that even simple moments can hold deep emotion and significance.Camara works from photographs of her subjects, building each portrait from her large and ever-growing collection of papers. Color and material are at the heart of her process where every piece of paper is chosen to reflect the personality, energy, and story of the person she is depicting. She spends hours cutting, arranging, and layering, allowing the slow, hands-on process to guide the final image. During this time, she focuses closely on the individual, thinking about their presence and character, so that the finished portrait feels thoughtful and connected rather than just visual.Through this detailed and time-intensive method, Camara creates portraits that go beyond simple likeness, capturing a sense of feeling and human connection. She has described her use of paper as both symbolic and metaphorical, where the layering process reflects the many experiences and stories that shape a person. Camara speaks about how her own life experiences shape the way she approaches portraiture. Having lived a full and varied life, she brings a sense of understanding and empathy to the people she represents.That lived awareness becomes part of the work itself, guiding her choices and strengthening the sense of connection that runs through each portrait.Her work has been shown throughout New York City in public art projects and exhibitions, including the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs’ City Canvas program and Google’s Imagine If project. Her portraits have also appeared in public and cultural spaces across the city, as well as in private collections. In 2024, she debuted her New York City solo exhibition, Stories in Paper, continuing to share her work with a broad and diverse audience. Camara’s work is centered on people and community, celebrating the stories, relationships, and emotions found in everyday life.