Helen Dearnley - Fine Artist
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"Blackbird" is the artists' signature.
Blackbird works in a diverse range of mediums, exploring many issues within her work as both fine artist and illustrator.
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"The imaginary was the alibi of the real, in a world dominated by the reality principle. And, paradoxically, it is the real that has become our true utopia - but a utopia that is no longer in the realm of the possible, that can only be dreamt of as one would dream of a lost object." - Jean Baudrillard.
Helen studied a joint honours degree in fine art & illustration at the University of Lincoln, and continues her practice based in the city as an international artist and illustrator.
“Artists-as-Artists value themselves for what they have gotten rid of and what they refuse to do” – Ad Reinhardt, How Art Made Pop (And Pop Became Art), Mike Roberts, 2018, Tate Publishing.
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Left: Self Portrait With Morten Harket 2010
Education
2005 - 2008
BA (hons) Fine Art & Illustration University Of Lincoln
2025 - 2026
​MA Design University of Lincoln
Awards
2009
2021
Enterprise @ Lincoln
Business Revival Grant, City Of Lincoln Council
2023
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2026
SANE Creative Award Scheme
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SANE Creative Award Scheme
Selected Exhibitions
2025
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2023
The Parlour, MA DESIGN Show
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Lost Dreams, St Mary Le Wigford Church, Lincoln​​​
2011
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2009
How To Build A Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later, Alley Cafe, Nottingham
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One And Other/The Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square, London, Oct 2nd 2009
2008
This Is It, the University of Lincoln Fine Art Degree Show 2008 – The Unreal God And Aspects Of His Non-Existent Universe
Group Exhibitions
2025
2022, 2023
Curator, Prism EDI Exhibition, University of Lincoln
Inspirational Women Artists Exhibition And Silent Auction God's House Tower, Southampton
2021
Thought Bubble Festival, Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate
2019
Laydeez Do Comics Awards Weekend, London
2016
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2013
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
A Journey, Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham
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Curator The Lincoln Simulacrum, Norman St. Empty Shop, Lincoln
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Lego Light Space Modulator Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin
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Alice In Disneyland LAN exhibition @ The Terrace, Lincoln, Lincoln Central Library
​Lincoln Summer Gala, Saturday 18th July, 2009.
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Illustration Degree Show
New Designers, Islington, London, July 2008
Equality & Discrimination Policy:
Helen NEVER works for free, exhibits work for free, or pays to play, as she is attracting prosperity, and rejecting austerity.
Helen supports Single Parents' Rights campaign for single parents to be included as a protected characteristic in the Equality Act.
https://www.singleparentrights.org
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See also carers.