Today we’d like to introduce you to Helene Steene.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
An Artist growing up in Sweden, and now residing in Lexington Kentucky, via Washington DC..
My work is well recognized for its many layered depth, intensity of colors, and elegance of surface combining classical oil glaze technique using natural minerals, over marble dust with contemporary brushed metal on wood,
My work has been published, exhibited, and collected in both private and public collections in the United States, France, Greece, Spain, Great Britain and Sweden, having won numerous awards for the work. The latest being, CODAworx Collaboration of Design + Art in Public Spaces 2022 in the Education Category with a 55 foot tall LED light installation of University of Kentucky, “Moon Sentinel”. My mixed media works were shown in three solo museum exhibits: the stunning Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, VA, and twice at the Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington, KY.
Recent large scale commissions were, in 2019 “Ancient Healer II”, 12 x 4,5 feet, mixed media, at a Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, in 2016 “Ancient Healer”, 46 x 270” mixed media, at University of Kentucky Hospital, the private dining/conference room, in 2015 “Ginkgo”, 102 x 108“, a mixed media work in the beautiful events facilities Apiary in Lexington; and in 2010, “Shimmer at the Edge”, mixed media, 108 x 78” at the Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, and in 2017 Gatton School of Business at University of Kentucky added “Archilochus’ View, 48 x 74 inches, mixed media, to their collection, and in 2023 Commerce Lexington added four pieces to theirs,
She received part of her art education from George Washington University in Washington DC, and in 2004 a Master of Fine Arts from University of Kentucky.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For many artists, especially in the beginning, the financial insecurity being artist can be be difficult, so you really have to love what you do! I do love what I do, but it would be great to have an agent who takes care of the marketing and business side, so I can totally focus on the art process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My paintings are created with textures and numerous layers of information built up through additions and subtractions over a long period of time, using natural minerals in dry powder form in oil glazes, as well as acrylic, charcoal, sand, marble dust and metal on wood panels. Using wood panels allows for both small and large scale pieces.
Many of my works are inspired by the soft white walls, and weathered wood works I encounter on the Greek island of Paros, as well as the local fauna and the ever-changing sea. The sense of layered history from antiquity to more recent times is very present on this island, famous for its white translucent marble, which inspired me to experiment with marble dust to create a sense of contemporary fresco surfaces.
Other paintings include Ginkgo leaves as they represent nature from ancient to present times as well as the concept of healing. The beautiful Ginkgo trees are being planted all over Lexington. I also has been working on a series of circular forms, representing a sense of centeredness which always has been important to me.
“Steene’s luminous layers of colors and intuitively balanced structure are reminiscent of
Rothko’s luminous paintings. Her visual subtleties slow down the viewing process and
contribute to an overall sense of harmony and inner peace, one that serves as an
antidote to today’s fast-paced, chaotic world.”
Jane S. Peters, Professor Emerita, Art History & Visual Studies,
University of Kentucky, USA
“Call Steene’s paintings the fusion of geometry and grace, which probes and pierces
or let us say we gaze out from the eye of light itself.”
Peter Abbs, Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing,
University of Sussex, Great Britain
The following statement from my artist’s statement pretty much tells WHY I create:
“Whether my work is abstract, non-objective or figurative, there is always a search for something that signifies a subtle inner beauty, depth and simplicity even when the forms are complex. I am intrigued by the tension between, forms, lines and colors that ultimately can resolve in harmony. Sometimes, this is achieved with more obvious forms, and sometimes, with a delicate balance attempting to give substance to the space that exists precisely because there are no objects.
If my work can slow someone down to contemplate something within – if it can add a moment of focus on their inner peace in this absurd world – then I have reached the viewer. We, the viewer and the mark maker, would be connected through that ephemeral magic that is all around, as I am convinced that one’s range of intellect is so trivial in the face of greater mysteries.”
In 2021 her first book, “AEGEAN ECHOES’ was published. A visual visit to Paros in photos and through the paintings inspired by this special place.
What are your plans for the future?
Just started working on a large commission for a new beautiful park here in Lexington. Some exhibits are in the works, and then we will see what happens next.
Pricing:
- $200 – $80,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.helenesteene.com, [email protected], 859.684.1716
- Instagram: helene.steene
- Facebook: Helene Steene
