WHERE THE SEEDS GROW

9 SEPTEMBER — 19 NOVEMBER 2023

Helen Fenner enjoyed art at school as a child, but it was not until just before her beloved husband Stephen passed away 6 years ago that she was re-introduced to art again. With the support of Flourish Australia – a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, Helen found a pathway to reconnect to her creativity and discover a new voice. It was through their support that Helen was reintroduced to what art galleries could provide her; by offering her opportunities to make art through initiatives like the Journey’s program at Maitland Regional Art Gallery. Helen eventually moved on to formal study at the Newcastle Art School.

Art is a way to communicate stories and for Helen, her art practice tells her stories her family; stories of country life and family legend is often at the heart of Helen’s work. The story of Helen’s uncle, now 86, who was born so premature he was placed in a warm (unlit) oven to keep him warm and safe. The stories of strength Helen still draws upon from her long-passed mother, grandmothers and aunts. In her work Helen recounts the story of her greatgrandmother relocating from Wyong to Gloucester with the assistance of a bullock team. Helen uses these stories of strength to work through a life marred by grief and ongoing mental health struggles. But there is also joy to be found in Helen’s stories. To remember childhood dreams like plucking the petals off a daisy… he loves me, he loves me not.

Like many artists before her, Helen uses recurring motifs in her work – a jigsaw pattern, a dragonfly, a window or mirror, these symbols all have meaning for Helen. The graphic, black and white achieved with a linocut is dissected and further layered; only to be stitch together with thread and reconnected in new ways. All these acts – of printing, dissecting, and stitching back together allow Helen to explore her creativity and her many life stories. Helen is fearless with her materials. It is always the privilege of an art curator to get behind the scenes of artwork being made, to see artists at work and to hear the stories of success and creative experimentation. Helen’s studio is her home – that is to say, she has a gallery in one room and the rest of her home is an artist’s studio. There is art making happening everywhere; in her loungeroom, her dining room and even in Helen’s back yard.

Helen has been working with the team at MRAG over the last 12 months or so in preparing for this exhibition. She has mined all parts of her life to work though family events, remember childhood dreaming, or feeling the pain of loss. These are stories we can all relate to and through this exhibition and the artist generosity, we too can be reminded of, and give meaning to, our own stories which course through our own lives. These are the stories which have travelled with us, to this place in the here and now.

Kim Blunt Senior Curator