Hélène DeSerres — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Apr 12

Apr 12 Hélène DeSerres

Biography

Pluridisciplinary artist, Hélène is a photographer a watercolorist, mix media painter, sculptor et jewelry designer. She was born and raised in Montreal, qc, Canada. After completing her classical studies and obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science . While on a two-year stay in Quebec City, she follows painting and drawing courses in a private studio. During this stimulating period, she discovers the art of sculpture and copper enamel. Upon her return to Montreal, Hélène is initiated into the ethereal world of watercolor with a Chinese master and completes her apprenticeship studying sculpture in clay.
At the Allende Institute in Mexico, she experiments with the lost wax technique and creates her first bronze sculptures. In Montreal, she further applies these techniques to her unique jewelry creations.
An avid photographer since early childhood, fiercely passionate about adventure and travel, she is fascinated with exploring the many diverse cultures and the intense beauty of this planet.
Prolific artist, Hélène DeSerres's work has been recognized internationally through numerous exhibitions and has received several awards in painting, sculpture and photography.

Artist Statement

Art is my oxygen. Unexpected views of Nature inspire me either as I do photography or painting. I am looking for the not-so-obvious image that will intrigue me. I Love to play with colors and create abstract or semi-abstract images, hoping to create beauty.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

It has always been a dream for me as a child. Very young I was daydreaming how I would love to be an artist. I loved colouring, later, took art classes on Saturdays for years where I learned all the basics of painting until I was a teenager. Then in my 20’s , I rediscovered the joys of painting and drawing. When I did my first soap stone sculpture, I was thunderstruck! Working in 3 D was a wonderful mind blowing experience that took me in a new direction. Creating shapes and forms with my hands was a revelation. I did sculptures on soapstone and still cherish the ones I haven’t sold 30 years ago !

With 2 children, a divorce, working kept me too busy to even think of art. But in the back of my head, I was hoping to come back to art. When “my job as a mother” was finished, I took watercolour courses with a Chinese master, learned sculpture with clay , went to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico where I learned lost wax technique and produced my first bronze sculptures. I discovered the same lost wax technique for jewelry so I did wearable sculptures. A few years later, I went to an image transfer workshop here in Montreal, and I started using my own photos to give them a second life.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

A successful one selling all my work (haha)

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

Love of color, of nature. A feel-good feeling

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

I often get my ideas from my photos taken on trips or in my backyard. I am always exploring, looking for new effects, textures. Be it image transfer of my own photos or playing with the materials, each creation has a life of it own. Sometimes I just play with colors, textures and a painting emerges. Totally unexpected. I then develop the idea until I am satisfied. When I am in my 3d model, I need to sculpt, work with my hands. Again the instincts guide me…..

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

After I have done my choice of colors, spread them randomly on my canvas, the discovery of shapes to develop, or a thems. The happy accidents!

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

I am constantly alternating between painting and photography. as one feed the other I feel like an explorer into unknown lands. Also, I am considering doing some sculptures in clay and maybe bronze….I have done many paintings of heads, I might complete the series with clay sculpture

Website www.hdeserres.com

Instagram HdeSerres