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Fine Art

Helen Dearnley (Blackbird) BA (hons) Fine Art & Illustration

An international fine artist with over 10 years postgraduate experience.

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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.

 

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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Helen's work was part of the University of Lincoln Fine Art Degree Show 2008 "This Is It".

She has continued to develop a multidisciplinary practice, with the AA2A scheme residency developing animation, exhibition reviews, international travel and exhibition, and following graduation, she set up Lincoln Artists' Network with funding from Enterprise @ Lincoln, which she ran as director until 2017. 

 

To keep up to date on Helen's current projects, follow her blog.

Current work

Workshops

Previous Work

Since graduating in 2008, Helen has worked as an international fine artist, with collaborative work with Magne Furuholmen and Apparatjik, and other projects.

German artist and fellow A-ha fan Annette Schwindt interviewed Helen here.

In the interview, Helen explains how austerity, arts funding cuts, Brexit, and the care crisis has affected her work. 

Commissions

Helen is available for commissions!

She has a particular interest in requests for A-ha Take On Me style portraits for fans, but also custom converse, Steampunk portraits, and album artwork.

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