The Singapore Apothecary and Hanoi Vase

Objects preserve a wealth of significant emotion and connection, serving as physical embodiments of identity. The narratives of these objects project a sense of self while sharing stories of lives lived in other places and times. They hold a physical representation of experience, speaking of familial ties and the story of who we were, who we are, and where we have been.
The featured flora comes from my garden, a space I have nurtured from a rocky cow paddock. Each plant is imbued with personal significance. I hail from a long line of passionate gardeners, and the plants in my garden are often chosen as tributes to friends and ancestors.
I painted a series of still life which celebrate my home and those I have and do love.
I had a long ambition to own an apothecary cabinet. The many small drawers are practically useless but I always had a hankering for one. We bought one in Bermuda which alas is still on the island, I am not sure why.
We bought this one in Singapore, the clue is in the title. We discovered a furniture store in Chinatown which proved to be a treasure trove of antiques, some real others perhaps a little faux. We ended up at their warehouse in an industrial estate, which made choosing even more impossible. The apothecary was shipped to Bermuda and came with us to Australia. As barely anything fits in the drawers it has become a 20-drawer junk drawer.
The Hanoi vase is probably the most recent acquisition. My daughter spent Christmas 2024 in Hanoi with her boyfriend's extended family. Vietnam turned out to be a shopping heaven. Ella bought this vase for me from a pottery in Hanoi.
I have an extensive collection of white vessels and some of them are in the painting. Love white ceramics.

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Helen has been a practising artist since completing an MA in Textiles at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is a full-time artist and tutor, working and teaching from her purpose-built studio set on 9 rural acres in Cedar Creek, northside of Brisbane.She lived and worked in Bermuda for many years before settling in SE Queensland. Her work has been shown in group and solo exhibitions in the USA, Canada, The Caribbean, the UK, Bermuda, Europe, Russia and Australia, it can be found in private, corporate and public collections.

Helen's art is bursting with exuberant colour and texture realised in acrylic on board.Her work begins with observational drawings on location developed into lushly layered paintings in the studio. Her work explores genius loci, seeking to find echoes and connections to other places and spaces. Her love of landscape and gardens nurtures ancestral connection and is a central theme of her practice. Her textile training is evident in the marks, pattern, texture and colour of her work.

She completed a year-long artist-in-residence at a local flower farm in May 2024. Her time at the farm produced a major body of work of plein air landscapes and botnical studio paintings. She spent the year drawing and painting on location. Her drawings were developed into richly textured paintings in the studio.

Helen's practice is realised in acrylic on ply. The majority of her work is finished with 3 coats of gloss medium. This enhances the complex layers of paint and colour in the work. If you would like a stain finish please message Helen and she can apply a soft wax to render a satin finish.