19 March - 11 May 2024
This spring we will be exhibiting the beautiful artwork from Lisa Helin in our Squires Coffee House, which will be available for visitors to view and enjoy for free until 11 May 2024.
Lisa Helin is a mixed media artist who explores the themes of nature, migration and imagination in her work. Lisa's interest in art began at an early age, when she used to draw and paint animals and plants in her sketchbooks. She was fascinated by the diversity and beauty of the natural world, and wanted to capture it in her own way. She also developed a passion for travelling and learning about different cultures and places, which influenced her choice of materials and themes in her later work.
Artistic practice
Lisa's artistic practice spans painting, paper cuts and taxidermy butterfly and moth installations. She creates entomological installations of flora and butterflies from imagined locations, taking inspiration from nature and the environment. Her insects and flowers transcend borders and pass freely between countries with scant regard for rules of immigration or the effects of biodiversity. She uses gouache, acrylic ink and paint on paper and vintage maps and atlases to create her intricate and colourful compositions.
Lisa's work is a reflection of her personal journey and identity, as well as a commentary on the global issues of climate change, migration and conservation. She uses the motif of the butterfly as a symbol of transformation, resilience and freedom, as well as a reminder of the fragility and interdependence of life. She also incorporates elements of fantasy and whimsy in her work, creating imaginary landscapes and scenarios that invite the viewer to explore and question their own perceptions and assumptions.