Meet the Artist: Helen Beard
We are delighted to announce the highly anticipated release of two limited edition prints by Helen Beard. The prints will release on the 2nd December.
Helen has contributed to numerous past AoaP auctions - her career spans over fifteen years and her striking and confident pieces have received international renown.
We sat down with Helen to ask her some questions about her practice, her limited edition prints, and the current art scene.
Can you tell us a little more about your special edition prints?
These prints are based on the paintings ‘I Believe In A Heaven I’ll Never Enter’ and ‘Entwine’, that were made originally for Art on a Postcard in 2018.
What was your favourite art exhibition this year?
‘Mixing It Up: Painting Today’ at The Hayward Gallery. There were so many artists that I love in this show: Alvaro Barrington, Lisa Brice, Jadé Fadojutimi, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami...It really highlights how painting is so relevant today. Lots of the painters were born in the nineties when we were being told painting was dead. This show is full of really compelling works that demonstrate that this just isn’t true!
How do you think the art world as changed?
I hope that the art world is becoming more diverse. The female gaze is definitely gaining more prominence and painters from a myriad of different backgrounds and nationalities are beginning to get noticed. I hope it continues: Art speaks to everyone and it is really important that it depicts every walk of life.
How has your practice changed throughout your career?
This year, I have had more time to experiment, which is very exciting. The biggest change in my work over the years is scale. I am not frightened of making very big works anymore. Even though I am still terrified of heights! Damien Hirst encouraged me to make very big pieces and there is something really empowering about it.
What are you most looking forward to art-wise in 2022?
I have a residency in Amsterdam this coming summer, which will be followed by a solo show at Reflex Gallery, Amsterdam. I did my first international show with them at the beginning of lockdown, so never actually made it out there. This time around, I will get to spend 6 weeks living and working there, which I am so looking forward to!