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Evelyna Helmer

Milk Bottle, zinc nails, aluminium and enamel spray paint and pine, 47 x 18cm
Milk Bottle, zinc nails, aluminium and enamel spray paint and pine, 47 x 18cm [Enquire Now]
Beachball, copper brass, bronze and zinc nails in pine, 30cm round
Beachball, copper brass, bronze, zinc nails and pine, 30cm round
[Enquire Now]
Chocolate Milk and Cigarettes, oil on linen on board, 1940s french gesso frame, 56 x 48cm
Chocolate Milk and Cigarettes, oil on linen on board, 1940s French gesso frame, 49 x 58cm (incl frame) [Enquire Now]
Where are you, oil on linen, 126 x 83cm
Where Are You, oil on linen, 126 x 83cm
[Enquire Now]
Enby, oil on linen on panel, 36 x 31cm (incl frame)
Enby, oil on linen on panel, 36 x 31cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Home for lunch, oil on linen, 86 x 71cm
Home for Lunch, oil on linen, 86 x 71cm
[Enquire Now]
Long Gone Daddy, oil on panel, 58 x 96cm (incl frame)
SOLD Long Gone Daddy, oil on linen, 58 x 96cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Long Gone Daddy, Study, oil on gesso panel, 34 x 44cm (incl frame)
Long Gone Daddy, Study, oil on gesso panel, 34 x 44cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
The Gift - Diptych, oil on gesso panel, 43 x 84cm (incl frame)
The Gift - Diptych, oil on gesso panel, 43 x 84cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Blue Pumpkin No 3, oil on linen, 86 x 84cm
Blue Pumpkin No 3, oil on linen, 86 x 84cm
[Enquire Now]
Pumpkin No 12, oil on gesso panel, 44 x 54cm
Pumpkin No 12, oil on gesso panel, 44 x 54cm
[Enquire Now]
Pumpkin No 11, oil on linen, 84 x 84cm
Pumpkin No 11, oil on linen, 84 x 84cm
[Enquire Now]
Brocolli, oil on panel, 44 x 34  (incl frame)
SOLD Broccoli, oil on gesso panel, 44 x 34 (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Watermelon, 4th of July, oil on linen, 51 x 77cm
SOLD Watermelon, 4th of July oil on linen, 77 x 51cm
[Enquire Now]
All Day, oil on linen, 76 x 75cm
All Day, oil on linen, 76 x 75cm
[Enquire Now]
Tea set, oil on gesso panel, 61 x 91.5cm (incl frame)
Tea Set, oil on gesso panel, 61 x 91.5cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Silence is So Accurate, oil on linen, 120 x 240cm
Silence is So Accurate, oil on linen, 120 x 240cm
[Enquire Now]
Milk and Strawberries, oil on linen, 110 x 80 (incl frame)
Milk and Strawberries, oil on linen, 110 x 80 (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
The Remedy, oil on gesso panel, 43 x 53cm (incl frame)
The Remedy, oil on gesso panel, 43 x 53cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Cream, oil on gesso panel, 53 x 43cm (incl frame)
SOLD Cream, oil on gesso panel, 53 x 43cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Martini, oil on linen on panel, 45 x 38cm (incl frame)
SOLD Martini, oil on linen on panel, 45 x 38cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Towel, Chicago, oil on linen, 60 x 80cm
Towel, Chicago oil on linen, 82 x 62cm
[Enquire Now]
Doctor Office Towel, oil on gesso panel, 53 x 43cm (incl frame)
Doctor Office Towel, oil on gesso panel, 53 x 43cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
What I came to Forget I Forgot, oil on linen, 74 x 74
What I came to Forget I Forgot, oil on linen, 74 x 74
[Enquire Now]
Stack of Paper, oil on panel, 46 x 57 (incl frame)
Stack of Paper, oil on gesso panel, 46 x 57cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Breakfast, oil on linen board, 51 x 77cm
SOLD Breakfast oil on linen board, 51 x 77cm
[Enquire Now]
Blue Bowl, oil on gesso panel, 26 5 x 31 5cm (incl frame)
Blue Bowl, oil on gesso panel, 26.5 x 31.5cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Half Watermelon, oil on gesso panel, 25.5 x 33cm (incl frame)
Half Watermelon, oil on gesso panel, 25.5 x 33cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Pear, oil on board, 38 x 33cm (incl frame)
SOLD Pear, oil on gesso panel, 38 x 33cm (incl frame)
[Enquire Now]
Fig, oil on linen, 31 x 38cm
SOLD Fig, oil on linen, 31 x 38cm
[Enquire Now]
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Evelyna Helmer

Biography
Born and raised in Chicago, Evelyna Helmer currently lives and works in Sydney, Australia.

Artist Statement
Whether it be a box of cigarettes and a glass of chocolate milk, a beachball, a banana split, a slice of watermelon, a roller-skate or a bowl of tomato soup; what messages lie beneath the surface of the object is where the fascination appears. These objects breath a life of their own. They encapsulate nostalgia and memory. They speak of psychological connections and
inter-relationships to both past and present memories and histories.
On the surface objects are simplistic, minimal and visually graphic but beneath the surface of their physical constraints they have a life of their own. A life, not just their own, but one they share with us and are a result of our emotional and, psychological experience and are part of our human DNA. They speak of emotional triggers embedded in both past and present contexts.
The still- life paintings speak of mystery in a past tense but simultaneously have an air of contemporary allure. My still life paintings showcase objects. The objects communicate narratives both didactic yet simultaneously encapsulate a sea of endless possibility in meaning. There are more questions posed then there are answers to be received. This is because a person’s life trajectory, the memories built, evolve in non-linear ways. The objects have in a sense, character traits and these traits lie dormant when we don’t engage with
them. However, when we do, they flood you with connection, relationship, memory and nostalgia. They too hold memory and experience. We change they change.
The objects and their significance are intentionally elliptical. The everyday object is seemingly banal and ordinary. But in this case the ordinary object becomes an extraordinary object because of the aura of power they hold.
Influences are grounded subliminally in the Pop art movement, The International Style in Advertising and inspired by artists such as Rene Magritte, Wayne Thiebaud and Veja Cilmans.
The power of semiotics plays a part in these still life paintings. The Cigarette box and its presentation seems familiar. It belongs to a time past but is still used in the present. It holds the 1950s historic narratives. The chocolate milk is a metaphor for childhood innocence. The Roller-skate design alludes to the 1970’s but is used in the present context. The objects are part of a time machine.
Objects also captivate their audience with their simpleness but also of their immense beauty. Like human’s just beneath the surface is their life story-a narrative that speaks of the human experience, as well as the meta-narrative which cites still life painting and the canons of its histories.
When alluding to advertising history, each object is like a Kodak moment. The object holds a miniaturecinematic life narrative. Examples of this can be seen in the still life painting titled Home for Lunch based on a childhood memory connected to a time when I came home from school after having a bad day…also remembering quite nostalgically of it being a harshly lit day. The enfolding drama of that day and its memory is captured within the object-a tomato soup bowl and the emotionally satisfying comfort it gave me.
Or Kodak memory #2, the still life painting titled Chocolate Milk and Cigarettes. This image draws the viewer into my daughter’s world, that is, her room. Herein lies the synchronised tension between the world of the child and that of the adult captured in one person’s experience, in this case my daughters.
My practice involves a meticulous process of working quite slowly, building layers of paint and surfaces. The medium is traditional oil paints on canvas or board. The scale is small creating an intimate quality. Repurposing found objects such as 1940’s French antique frames are integrated into the work. The metaphor of past and present histories and narratives are contained within these frames.
Natural Sydney light plays a significant role in determining colour choices and the effect of chiaroscuro within the works.
The colour pink holds particular importance. It has an extraordinary contradictory power as a symbol, depending on the cultural narrative and context it expresses. For example, in Japan it can have many nuanced meanings such as being the symbol of a slain Samurai. In Korea it’s a symbol of trustworthiness and in the Western tradition its meaning shifts according to time and place such as 18th century fashion obsession, 1960’s pop favourite as well as more recent interpretations such as gender neutrality and emotional connectedness. As Miley Cyrus famously stated “Pink is an attitude” with that said, let the objects within the still life paintings tell their story.

Education and Work Experience
1984 B.A. Art History, University of Illinois
1985 B.F.A Photography, Columbia College, Chicago Illinois
1983-98 Commercial Photographer, Reportage, Fine Art Photography
2004-06 Certificate of Horticulture, Kew Gardens, U.K.
2008-11 Study traditional techniques of drawing and painting
Lavender Hills Studios, Battersea, London, U.K.
Princes Drawing School, London, U.K.

Solo Exhibition
2019 Chocolate Milk and Cigarettes, Thienny Lee gallery, Edgecliff, Sydney.
2018 Broken Open, Thienny Lee gallery, Edgecliff, Sydney.
2016 New Work by Evelyna Helmer, Stables Perisher Valley, NSW
2013 Pictures of Alex and Other Works, Martyn Cook Antiques, Redfern, Sydney

Commissions
Several Corporate and Private Commissions in Australia and USA

Awards
2018 ASHREI Art Prize – Category Winner
2018 Waverley Art Prize – Finalist
2014 BP Portrait Award entry, National Portrait Gallery London UK – Olympian
2013 Archibald entry, AGNSW Sydney – Alexei Almoukov Olympic Biathlete
2012 Archibald entry, AGNSW Sydney – James Brown, Military Fellow

Collections
Art works held in corporate and private collections in Australia, USA and UK

Biography
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Having previously lived in London, Evelyna Helmer currently lives and works in Sydney, Australia.

Artist Statement
The latest exhibition, Broken Open is a departure from figurative painting.
For personal reasons, it was a time NOT to commit to the exterior world, rather commit completely to the limitlessness of the interior world. Finding a place where you are not aware of yourself, as difficult as that is, into a place where many things can happen. Relinquish technique and gain something else.

Along with opening restrictions, studying ancient Hindu text lead to a creation of a new visual language. How does one represent the most primal feelings, drives and purpose into expression? The circle, the egg, square and triangle represent universal concepts of nature, spirit and the universe.

Formlessness is created by the many layers of colour, applied and worked into the linen. Fine lines of 24kt gold found in the paintings are the influence of the Japanese concept of Kintsugi. A tradition of repairing broken pottery with gold to celebrate the history of the object and make the piece more beautiful than the original. Broken is beautiful.

Its technique and abandoning technique.
Its going inward to go forward.
Its about loss to see things new.
Creating an abstracted personal symbolic vision

Education and Work Experience
1984 B.A. Art History, University of Illinois
1985 B.F.A Photography, Columbia College, Chicago Illinois
1983-98 Commercial Photographer, Reportage, Fine Art Photography
2004-06 Certificate of Horticulture, Kew Gardens, U.K.
2008-11 Study traditional techniques of drawing and painting
Lavender Hills Studios, Battersea, London, U.K.
Princes Drawing School, London, U.K.

Solo Exhibition
2018 Broken Open, Thienny Lee gallery, Edgecliff, Sydney.
2016 New Work by Evelyna Helmer, Stables Perisher Valley, NSW
2013 Pictures of Alex and Other Works, Martyn Cook Antiques, Redfern, Sydney

Commissions
Several Corporate and Private Commissions in Australia and USA

Awards
2018 ASHREI Art Prize – Category Winner
2018 Waverley Art Prize – Finalist
2014 BP Portrait Award entry, National Portrait Gallery London UK
Olympian
2013 Archibald entry, AGNSW Sydney
Alexei Almoukov Olympic Biathlete
2012 Archibald entry, AGNSW Sydney
James Brown, Military Fellow

Collections
Art works held in corporate and private collections in Australia, USA and UK

Contact us for more information on any of these works.
Contact us for more information on any of these works.

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Thienny Lee Gallery
176 New South Head Road
Edgecliff
NSW 2027
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Saturday: 11am to 4pm

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