Exhibition of Paintings March 2012
in Restaurant Vino Mío: Helen d’Ouden
 

Helen d’Ouden was born in Semarang (Indonesia) and grew up in New Guinea.

Her paintings (acrylics) can be best described as surprising and daringly colourful, integrating figurative elements - often abstract -, into large colour fields, moving cleverly and skillfully between the two styles.

Although her work shows clear focal points that attract attention, the figurative elements are not necessarily meant as a binding factor.

The mixture of abstract and figurative elements is a constant in the work of this artist. Her work is sometimes compared to stained glass, sometimes showing a three-dimensional spatiality. Helen was for her recent work inspired by the Tropics.

She wants to and is unable to do otherwise express her inspiration in her own colourful way. She absolutely wants to immerse in this artistic process by herself, without any instructions or restrictions. Up till now she has always done things her own way.

What is striking about Helen d’Ouden’s work is the composition. To her it is important that the total canvas is in balance. Figures, lines and fields are proportionally divided. Still one cannot put her style in one specific category and therefore it is surprisingly unpredictable.

Suggestive lines bind the whirling compositions. Those lines are part of Helen’s signature. They keep everything together and are because of that an indispensable element.

D’Ouden is somebody who likes to enter into a dialogue. She is extrovert which shows in her work. She often spends a lot of time on a painting, often repeating the process.

We have a new exhibition every month