The Colours of Elsewhere

This painting grew through intuition, with figures gradually emerging from layers of colour and gesture. Existing somewhere between abstraction and representation, they seem to inhabit a world that is still forming—a place that feels dreamlike, unfamiliar and strangely alive.
The colours create an atmosphere rather than a setting, suggesting an elsewhere beyond ordinary experience. Within this shifting space, identities remain fluid and unresolved, allowing the figures to exist on their own terms. As forms appear and dissolve within the paint, the work invites viewers into a world of ambiguity, imagination and possibility, where meaning remains open to discovery.

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Known for her bold use of colour and texture, Helen Andrade creates striking, emotionally resonant works that balance abstraction and figuration. Her layered surfaces and dreamlike compositions invite personal connection, making each piece both visually captivating and psychologically rich.

"I create artworks that delve into the emotional layers of identity and memory. I'm drawn to the vibrancy of bold hues and the tactile quality of textured surfaces. Using a range of mixed media—acrylic, oil stick, charcoal, felt-tip, ink, and sometimes collage—I build dreamlike spaces where figures may appear and disappear, suspended between presence and absence.

My process is intuitive and layered, allowing each work to emerge gradually, embracing ambiguity and emotional depth. While I often include figures, these are not traditional portraits; they exist as psychological spaces—open for viewers to find their own resonance within the ambiguity."

Helen describes her art as dreamlike, emotional, feminine, and psychological. Her style blends abstraction, figuration, expressionism, and surrealism.

With over 30 years of dedication to her practice, Helen holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction and continues to passionately create works that connect with audiences around the world.