About the Artist
Helen BIRMINGHAM
I graduated from Kingston Polytechnic in 1984 (Helen Barter) with a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art Printmaking, and later gained a PGCE in Secondary Art teaching from Canterbury Christ Church College. For a number of years I was Head of Art at a secondary school in Kent, later opening my own craft shop in Faversham, where I ran classes for both children and adults in various craft subjects. I now work from my own studio in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, producing works of art in a broad range of media, including painting, photography, glass, textiles, beading and mixed media collage.
ARTIST STATEMENT: Helen is fascinated by the concept of evolution. Her work is created by repeating, copying and combining images, using a variety of materials and techniques in novel and unselfconscious ways. She is attempting to illustrate the nature of being, whilst exploring and recording the changes which occur during creation. Much of her work contains precious scraps carefully set aside from the making of previous pieces, so maintaining a physical and hereditary link.
I graduated from Kingston Polytechnic in 1984 (Helen Barter) with a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art Printmaking, and later gained a PGCE in Secondary Art teaching from Canterbury Christ Church College. For a number of years I was Head of Art at a secondary school in Kent, later opening my own craft shop in Faversham, where I ran classes for both children and adults in various craft subjects. I now work from my own studio in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, producing works of art in a broad range of media, including painting, photography, glass, textiles, beading and mixed media collage.
ARTIST STATEMENT: Helen is fascinated by the concept of evolution. Her work is created by repeating, copying and combining images, using a variety of materials and techniques in novel and unselfconscious ways. She is attempting to illustrate the nature of being, whilst exploring and recording the changes which occur during creation. Much of her work contains precious scraps carefully set aside from the making of previous pieces, so maintaining a physical and hereditary link.
Helen Birmingham - Mixed Media Artist
ARTIST STATMENT expanded: My background in printmaking leads me towards the practice of making multiple images, but I am excited by the notion that no two images are "identical". I enjoy the discipline of recording the history of my actions upon a surface, either photographically at intermediate stages of a works' creation, or physically "replicating" a piece of work to a given stage, so that the original can stay intact, whilst the idea can continue in the form of a "next generation". This practice tends to lead to themes in my work "evolving" over time, with some repeated elements and motifs appearing in future generations.
I believe that as an artist I have two roles: the hand which creates the image and allows for chance, and the eye which identifies which changes are beneficial and encourages their evolution. In summary, my work attempts to illustrate something of the nature of "being", whilst exploring and recording not only the changes which occur during the creation of the piece itself, but also exploring the evolution of ideas and images which occur as a result of that creation.
I am fascinated by the science of heredity - how character traits are replicated and reproduced, passed from one generation to the next, with virtually imperceptible changes evolving over time to create a significant change.
My recent move to North Yorkshire has heightened my interest in the geological and fossil evidence for a belief in evolution over creation, and has encouraged me to look at how ecological changes cause the disintegration of structures.
Any items purchased from my online shop are dispatched from
The Studio Gallery in Scarborough,
and can be purchased directly if you would prefer.
Helen Birmingham
The Studio Gallery
5 Belle Vue Parade
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
YO11 1SU
01723 371565
Opening hours: Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun 10.00am - 4.00pm
(at other times by appointment)
The Studio Gallery in Scarborough,
and can be purchased directly if you would prefer.
Helen Birmingham
The Studio Gallery
5 Belle Vue Parade
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
YO11 1SU
01723 371565
Opening hours: Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun 10.00am - 4.00pm
(at other times by appointment)