Helen Ansell
Projects
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Opening night crowds at the Traverse Theatre Edinburgh 2003
Searching Her Reflection
In 2011 Helen was commissioned by Rio Tinto to work on a mural for the town of Pannawonica in collaboration with the traditional owners the Kuruma Marthudunera people.
Pannawonica Mural Project
In 2009 - 2010 Helen accompanied the Spinifex Hill Artists on various field trips to around the wider Port Hedland area, encouraging artists to fill their visual diaries with sketches to be used for inspiration for future work
Spinifex Hill Artist Field Trips
While delivering various art units at Ululla Helen and the artists would often go bush to collect local materials to be used in their work (such as emu feathers and Spinifex grasses for weaving), as a nice place to paint, or simply to get some lunch!
Going Bush at Ululla
Helen collaborated with FORM and the artists involved during the initial research into the artists’ connections to the Canning Stock Route story. This eventually resulted in the recording of hundreds of oral histories, painting stories and hundreds of hours of exquisitely shot high definition digital film
Canning Stock Route Project
In 2008 as part of Helen’s co-delivery of a Certificate level art class in Wiluna, the students camped out at Boyonoo where they painted a collaborative mural telling the dreamtime story of the waterhole
Wiluna Painting Camp at Boyonoo
In 2011 Helen was one of the art mentors of the artists camp located at De Grey Station, with the support of FORM and BHP Billiton Iron Ore, created to enhance the creative and artistic skills of Pilbara Community Members
De Grey Station Art Camp
In 2009 the West Coast Eagles attended an art workshop with the Spinifex Hill Artists in Port Hedland and had their go at painting their own self portraits as part of their countryside promotional tour, under the tutor ledge of Helen
Painting Workshop with West Coast Eagles
In 2006 Helen co-tutored a series of art workshops at Ululla community which included such units as ceramics, print making, painting and drawing as well as conceptual units
Ululla TAFE workshops
From 2009-2011 Helen has been delivering Accredited Certificate Level Art Lessons to both men and women at Greenough Regional Prison which has resulted in two successful solo exhibitions of their work
Greenough Regional Prison Art Workshops
In 2008 Helen travelled to Yalgoo every two weeks to deliver painting classes to the women there who each proudly received a Certificate II level painting unit competency
Yalgoo TAFE
In 2011 Helen delivered beginner painting workshops to Indigenous Artists at the Northampton Old School
Northampton Old School Art Classes
In 2008 Helen travelled every two weeks over the year to deliver Certificate Level II in Visual Art and Contemporary Craft to Wiluna artists
Wiluna TAFE Workshops
In 2008 FORM launched the Let’s Get Stared program, offering painting workshops for Indigenous Artists living in South Hedland. Tthe group now meets every week to paint and has had two successful solo exhibitions.
Spinifex Hill Artists Workshops, Port Hedland
Facilitated by FORM, with the support of BHP Billiton Iron Ore, the 2010 Visual Arts Development Program was part of FORM’s creative professional development programming package.
Courthouse Gallery Workshops, Port Hedland
In 2007 The Geraldton Regional Gallery offered the Tjukurba Wiluna artists the use of their Project Space to have their first solo exhibition outside the town of Wiluna. The Tjukurba Gallery was a new project that has only been going for two years at this stage and saw great results.
Tjukurba Art Gallery
In 2008 Helen co-organised the Wiluna TAFE artists to travel to Geraldton and exhibit their “Dingo Dreaming” work at the Geraldton Universities Centre
Wiluna TAFE Art Exhibition
The groups’ exhibition debut at the Courthouse Gallery in 2009 was a great success. They also won the 2009 NAIDOC Artist of the Year Award and gained recognition as an emerging Pilbara art group with originality, vibrancy and heart
Spinifex Hill Artists at the Courthouse Gallery
The results of an artist development program delivered inside the Greenough Regional Prison over 18 months which saw the artists led through ongoing workshops with mentor Helen Ansell, held at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery in 2011
Tjukurba Exhibition, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
Holding the Stories - an exhibition of art from Greenough Regional Prison presented in association with the Department of Corrective Services held in 2010 at the Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland
Tjukurpa Kanyinipa – Exhibition of Prisoner Artwork
This exhibition delved into the stories and experiences that have shaped the Spinifex Hill Artists’ lives while growing up in Port Hedland and the greater North West to the present time, held at the Courthouse Gallery 2010
Before the Town Got Big
In 2007 Helen worked in conjunction with Malcolm McGregor and the Tjukurba artists to produce artwork for the new school building.
Wiluna Remote Community School Art Panels
In 2009 Helen worked in collaboration with Greenfield Technical Services to incorporate designs created by the children of Yalgoo Primary School onto their towns water park.
Yalgoo Water Park Design
In 2010 Helen led community members of Port Hedland in a Small Wins Project as a result of FORM’s Pilbara Place Making Workshop, with the support of the Port Hedland Police Station and the Youth Involvement Council to turn an ordinary chain link fence into a large scale canvas popping with colour.
Glass Lane
Helen in front of "Eternity in an Hour" at the Gadfly Gallery Dalkeith 2006
Eternity in an Hour
In 2010 Helen's paintings hung alongside works by Judy Prosser, Clifford Bayly, Hiromi Ashlin and Daniel Hutching - artists both local and interstate providing their own interpretation of the Kimberley and it's people at the Monsoon Gallery in Broome
Five Aspects
Helen's first exhibition back in Australia at the Gadfly Gallery in Dalkeith in 2006, after three years living overseas in Edinburgh
Memoirs of a Social Life
A Geraldton exhibition with fellow local artist Peta Riley held at Finity Concept in 2008
Flowers Fish and Feathers
Floor shot of the Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland 2009
Lush
Kimberley inspired Frangipani and Brolga paintings at the Monsoon Gallery 2010
Monsoon Gallery
Helen's solo exhibition at the Tron Kirk, central Edinburgh 2004
Joie de Vivre
Painting commissioned by the Shire of Wiluna for their offices
My Desert
Tina and Cara on opening night in front of "To Muse a While" at the Gadfly Gallery Dalkeith 2006
Memoirs of a Social Life
Photo of "Lilly Girl" taken out in the desert at Ululla where she was painted
Memoirs of a Social Life
Photo of "Hakea Heaven" taken out in the desert at Ululla where it was painted
Memoirs of a Social Life
Helen and fellow artist Peta Riley alongside Anne Pedlow who opened the exhibition for us
Flowers Fish and Feathers
Banner for Lush exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland 2009
Lush
Rosa - who has spent many hours in the studio watching my work progress with a critical eye - and who features in two of my paintings
My Muse
For three years now I have sold prints of my work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world - to people from over 30 different countries around the world
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011
In 2004 I was lucky enough to share an amazing art studio space in Leith Edinbugh with a bunch of seriously talnted artists - during this time I was able to support myself as a full time artist
Studio 101 Edinburgh
Helen on opening night at the Gadfly Gallery Dalkeith 2006
Memoirs of a Social Life
Opening night at the Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland 2009 featuring "Button Flowers" and "That Certain Feeling"
Lush
Helen in front of small Pieces of Pattern works featured alongside the Roebourne Artist Group exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery 2011
Pieces of Pattern
Opening night crowds at the Courthouse Gallery 2011
Pieces of Pattern
Helen chatting with the crowds on opening night at the Monsoon Gallery Broome 2010
Five Aspects
Opening night crowds at the Monsoon Gallery Broome 2010 in front of "Cockatoo Cool"
Five Aspects
"Frangipani Sunset" and "Sea of Suprise" hanging at the Monsoon Gallery Broome 2010
Monsoon Gallery
"Cockatoo Cool" hanging at the Monsoon Gallery Broome 2010
Monsoon Gallery
Helen in front of "Swoon to the Moon" at the Monsoon Gallery Broome 2010
Monsoon Gallery
Originally located in historic Captain Gregory's House where Helen exhibited with "Five Aspects", the Monsoon Gallery offers visitors the most comprehensive collection of Australian art and design in the Kimberley.
Monsoon Gallery
In 2011 much of my painting was done here in a caravan on our block while we were building! The large piece in this photo was selected for entry into the Inaugural Mid West Art Awards
Geraldton 2011
As part of the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, my market stall was displayed along the Royal Mile right in the heart of the city where 20,000 people are estimated to walk down the street every day of the three week long festival
My Work along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Helen's work on display at the Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland 2009
Lush
Helen's popular small patterned pieces on sale through the Courthouse Gallery boutique shop 2010
Pieces of Pattern
Helen's popular small patterned pieces on sale through the Courthouse Gallery boutique shop 2010
Pieces of Pattern
These lovely ladies all purchased one of Helen's small patterned pieces (featured behind) at the Courthouse Gallery 2011
Pieces of Pattern
Opening night crowds in front of "The Might Boab" at the Monsoon Gallery 2010
Monsoon Gallery
In 2004 Studio 101 held an open day exhibition where we invited the public to come and view our work as well as our studio spaces
Studio 101 Edinburgh
Georgina Brown is a very talented artist who was among the last people to be born in the Western Desert, leading a customary nomadic life travelling around with her family. She has recently had work purchased by the National Gallery of Canberra
Painting in the back shed with my friend Georgina
Helen's "Twitter" painitng hanging at the Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland 2009
Lush
Here are some of my earlier pieces which were exhibited at the Tron Kirk in Edinburgh in 2004 as part of my Joie de Vivre exhibition
Studio 101 Edinburgh
Opening night crowds in front of "Climb to the Light" on display at the Old Bakehouse Gallery Edinburgh 2004
Bakehouse Gallery
Onlookers discussing Helen's winning piece "Milling at Millstream"
Hedland Art Awards
This photo was taken for promotion of the Five Aspects exhibition at the Monsoon Gallery Broome and featured in the Broome Advertiser
Me
Helen and Daniel in front of "Not so still life" at the Traverse Theatre Edinburgh 2003
Searching Her Reflection
Small patterned pieces displayed as part of Lush at the Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland 2009
Lush
Opening night at the Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland 2009 featuring "Sunset Flight" and "Swoon to the Moon"
Lush
Opening night crowds at the Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland 2009
Lush
"Monsoon Gallery is kicking off the season with a stunning exhibition entitled 5 Aspects, featuring interpretations of the Noth West from five quite differently styled artists" Amy Williams
Broome Advertiser 2010
"There is a fundamental spirit in these paintings that speaks to the viewer and insists on presenting hope and joy as the natural wellsprings for life" Amanda Rowland, Editor
JAM Magazine Cover 2010
"LUSH is a collection of paintings that wears its heart on its canvases. Filled with sensuous lines, strong colours and joyous patterns, Helen Ansell’s work weaves the lines of the female body, the symbol of the bird in flight and the shapes of Western Australian flora together to create works of deceptive graphic simplicity."
Perth Now (Sunday Times) 2009
"Local artists Peta Riley and Helen Ansell will be showcasing their work at an exhibition at Finity Concept today. The work at the exhibition is Peta's bright and quirly ocean themes and iconic images of Abrolos Islands and Geraldton and Helen's integration of Indigenous art styles and contemporary themes to portray native flora and fauna"
Geraldton Guardian 2008
"Helen greets me with exhuberance, excitement and a sense of joy which indicates a life lived to the full. I would, of course, expect nothing less from a woman who currently has her own exhibition at the Gadfly Gallery in Dalkeith and is packing to leave for an incredible new job"
Midwest Times 2007
"There could scarcley be a more dramatic transition from the bleak, overcast built up city-scape of Edinburgh in Scotland to the vast hot outback of WA. In moving form the life of a yound "city slicker" to living in a remote Aboriginal community, artist Helen Miller has developed a bold style that combines both influences" Sarah McNeill
Timeout Magazine (Western Suburbs Weekly) 2006
"Helen's effervescent style weaves a magic all of it's own. Her works are vivacious and energetic, a reflection of the artist herself, and communicate effortlessly a sense of fun and adventure" Natalie Burgis
Pearls Magazine 2005
