ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Iréne Norén’s First Solo Show at Harper’s Chelsea Explores Body and Spirituality

exhibition · 2026-05-12

Iréne Norén, a 34-year-old Spanish artist who only began painting three years ago after an abortion, opens her first solo gallery exhibition in New York City. Titled “Reliquary of the Body: Returning to Eden,” the show at Harper’s Chelsea runs from May 12, 2026. Norén, who grew up in Altea, Spain, and moved to New York with her boyfriend, started painting as a therapeutic outlet while lacking a work visa. The exhibition follows the narrative structure of a Renaissance altarpiece, featuring works such as The Performance, The Exposure, The Judgment, The Solitude, The Ritual, and Returning to Eden. Her paintings blend Surrealist techniques like automatic drawing with Catholic art historical imagery and Jungian archetypes. Norén cites mentors including Tory Burch and Jeanne Greenberg, and her partner Henry Burch is an art collector. She is currently enrolled in an MFA program, seeking community among female artists. Norén also creates social media videos highlighting historic female artists like Paula Modersohn-Becker and Gabriele Münter.

Key facts

  • Iréne Norén is 34 years old.
  • She started painting three years ago after an abortion.
  • Her first solo show is at Harper’s Chelsea in New York City.
  • The exhibition is titled 'Reliquary of the Body: Returning to Eden'.
  • The show opened on May 12, 2026.
  • Norén grew up in Altea, a coastal town in the province of Alicante, Spain.
  • She moved to New York with her boyfriend, Henry Burch.
  • She had no work visa when she started painting.
  • The exhibition follows a Renaissance altarpiece narrative structure.
  • Works include The Performance, The Exposure, The Judgment, The Solitude, The Ritual, and Returning to Eden.
  • Her style blends Surrealism and Catholic imagery.
  • She uses automatic drawing techniques.
  • Mentors include Tory Burch and Jeanne Greenberg.
  • She is in an MFA program to build community.
  • She makes social media videos about historic female artists.
  • Historic female artists she admires include Paula Modersohn-Becker and Gabriele Münter.

Entities

Artists

  • Iréne Norén
  • Paula Modersohn-Becker
  • Gabriele Münter
  • Magritte

Institutions

  • Harper’s Chelsea
  • CULTURED
  • Louvre
  • Prado

Locations

  • New York City
  • Altea
  • Alicante
  • Spain
  • Valencia

Sources