Helkotnikstudio - Spain

Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona and at the Akademie der bildende Künste in Vienna. Helena Kotnik worked as a guide in Art Museums and did internships and volunteer work in an Art Gallery. She also worked as an art mediator and is currently an art teacher. 

Helena's artistic work has focused mainly on painting, although in the past she has developed performance pieces. Her pictorial language has been very varied and it has taken her years to arrive at the language she currently uses. In sculpture, she feels comfortable working with ceramics and wood, and has recently begun working with tapestries as a new technique that allows her to work with recycled materials.

Her work focuses on three areas: complexities of the modern world, the human condition and identity. She continues to explore the themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time.

Her influences range from classical to contemporary artists, including painters, sculptors, video artists, performers, writers, sociologists and theorists. Her paintings must be understood with all these references in mind, as they play a very important role in her artistic process.

STATEMENT

My paintings, referred to as psychological human landscapes, offer more than just visual appeal and serve as a lens through which to observe the complexities of modern life. They explore the human condition, turning each canvas into a vibrant mosaic that interwies emotions, identities and social narratives. 

Drawn to the intersection of colour, emotion, and psychology, my process is rooted in experimentation. I combine the techniques of gouache, ink, coloured pencils, soft pastels, and watercolour to create intricate, multi-layered compositions. Through these materials, I create depth, not only in form but also in meaning. At first glance, my art may sometimes convey a sense of childlike simplicity, but upon closer inspection, layers of commentary on issues defining contemporary life are revealed.

I like to engage in a dialogue between the past and the present, drawing inspiration from historical art movements and reimagining these influences in ways that feel fresh and relevant. In this way, my creations are timeless, while also being firmly rooted in contemporary thinking, making them accessible and thought-provoking, as some have described them.

I don't like to offer answers, but rather to pose questions that linger long after viewing the canvas. My works are said to challenge social norms, spark curiosity, and invite dialogue without being prescriptive. It is this openness that gives my art a universal quality, “a universal quality that resonates beyond cultural and personal boundaries”.

My works also go beyond decoration and serve as a starting point for dialogue that encompasses both history and current events.

Contact: info@helkotnikstudio.com

Website: https://helkotnikstudio.com

Vote for Helen in the Sakura Art Prize