Biography

Artist statement

If you look at my work closely you will see layers upon layers of paint. Each piece takes time to complete, although the marks are expressive and impulsive, the building up and stripping back takes time and perseverance. My prints on the other hand are far more instantaneous. I love the immediacy of the medium, the way in which I can create atmospheres using one colour and manipulating the inks on the plates. Painting and printing are very different for me, but one could not exist without the other.

The colour black figures heavily through-out my paintings and prints. Whether it is a heavily worked painted brush-stroke or a fine graphite line, it tends to dominate; like a calligraphic mark. They are all inherent markings; they can be so delicate that they are hardly visible, veiled under layers of paint and washes, or they can be pulsing in the foreground, reminding me that time is our only constant.

The landscape here in Wales with the melancholy light and architectural formations is one of the most  important elements to the development of my work.


Career path
Graduated in 1989 from Wimbledon School of Art. Tutors. Bernard Cohen. George Blacklock.

Future exhibitions

Matter Lumina. Milkwood Gallery. Cardiff May 2013

Duckett and Jeffreys. September 2013.

The Last Gallery. Llangadog. Installation and Images. November 2013

Solo exhibitions

  • 2008 landscapes, Llantarnham Grange Arts Centre, Cardiff
  • 2008 Solo Show, The Salt Gallery, hayle. Cornwall
  • 2008 HOPE, Oriel Clwyd Art Centre, Mold, Chester
  • 2007 Landscapes, Morgan Boyce Gallery, Marlborough
  • 2007 Solo Exhibition, Oriel Mwldan, Cardigan
  • 2007 Reflections, Oriel Mwldan, Cardigan

Group exhibitions

  • 2012 Matter Lumina, King Street Gallery, Carmarthen
  • 2012 Threadneedle Art Prize, The Mall Galleries, London
  • 2012 Works On Paper, Cadogan Contemporary., Knightsbridge London
  • 2012 Marks Of Intent. 2 Person Exhibition, The Art Shop, Abergavenny
  • 2011 Coedwig, Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen
  • 2011 Artemesia, St Davids Hall Gallery, Cardiff
  • 2011 Abstraction, Cadogan Contemporary, London
  • 2008 Group Show, St Davids Hall, cardiff
  • 2008 Ornament, Llantarnham Grange Arts Centre, Cardiff
  • 2008 Welsh Artists, left Bank Gallery, Aberdeen
  • 2007 Affordbale Art Fair. Battersea, Battersea Park/ Morgan Boyce gallery, London
  • 2007 Autumn Show, Bowlish Contemporary Arts. Sheppton Mallet, Sheppton Mallet
  • 2007 The Salt Gallery, The Salt Gallery, St Ives
  • 2006 Surface, Oriel Davies, Newtown
  • 2006 December Exhibition, Washington Gallery, Cardiff
  • 2006 2 person Show, Galanthus Gallery, Wormbridge, Hereford
  • 2005 Art Zurich, Zurich International Art Fair, Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2005 Group Show, Projekt 30, New York
  • 2003 Making it, Parkview Gallery, Birmingham
  • 2002 Traffic, Carmarthen Gallery, Carmarthen
  • 2002 Traffic, Southside Gallery, Leatherhead
  • 2002 Four, Parkview Gallery, Birmingham
  • 2002 Artwest, Carmarthen Gallery, Carmarthen
  • 2001 Young Welsh, Royal Cambrian, Conway

Curated projects

  • A talk about the influence of the landscape on my work. Curated by Marc Rees, sharing the audience with Carwyn Evans. In conjunction with the Carmarthen Museum and The National Welsh Theatre Cardiff.
  • 2012 STRINGS, blinc, Conwy North Wales
  • 2012 Projection of Strings, blinc, Conwy North Wales

Live/Performance

  • 2011 blinc Digital Arts Festival, Conwy. North Wales, Conwy

Residencies

  • 2006 Artist in Residence, Ysgol Yr DDerwen, Carmarthen 

Private commissions

  • 2012 Synapse Drawing Series 1-10, Berwick Street Studios, London
  • 2009 The Sky at Barafundle, Bankside Lofts, London
  • 2009 90 Black and White Drawings and prints, the Arch Art Hotel, LOndon

Projects

  • 2011 Candy and Candy. 1 Hyde Park
  • 2006 My Square Mile, Ysgol LLangadog, Carmarthenshire
  • 2006 My Square Mile, Ysgol Aberporth primary School, Aberport, Ceredigion, Wales

Competitions, prizes and awards

  • 2012 Award for Painting, Pollock Krasner Foundation Inc, New York
  • 2011 Arts Council R&D Award, Welsh Arts Council, Wales
  • 2009 Oppenheim John Downes Award for Painting, For Studio Practice, London
  • 2009 Elected a member of the RCA, Royal Cambrian Academician, Wales
  • 2007 Oppenheim John Downes Award for Painting, For Studio Practice, London
  • 2006 Arts Council Personal development Grant, Out in the Landscape, S.W. Wales

Web links – gallery/work/projects

  • https://www.facebook.com/1Helen.Booth
  • http://pinterest.com/helenbooth/my-work/
  • http://www.thedrawingsuite.com