Helen Juste
Helen JusteHelen Juste’s work is immediately engaging, powerful forms that are sensitive, yet strong and determined. They evoke a whole range of emotions brought to bear from the viewers own experiences. Inspired by the struggles and turmoil that life inevitably brings and the battle to overcome them.“The essence of form is paramount, taking those relationships and the energy within, moulding it through the construction and deconstruction of the clay until it evolves with a strong aesthetic.” BackgroundNorthwest artist Helen Juste was born in Northern Ireland in 1966, and has lived in Lancashire most of her adult life. For as long as she can remember she has always had a passion for art and this has been a main focus throughout her life, even when she trained as a Registered General Nurse and spent a number of years working in that profession. Helen went on to study Fine Art, since graduating in 1994 with a BA. hons she has established herself as a sculptor, undertaking private commissions and exhibiting her work at a number of venues across the country. She also works in the capacity of Arts Development Manager for West Lancashire Borough Council. Working with key partners and organisation to try and improve access to the arts within the district. The development and management of the Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk has been one of her responsibilities.InspirationInfluenced by her previous role the majority of Helen’s work is figuratively based, inspired by the human condition and our interaction with the world around us and with each other. Helen’s work is the human figure is a fundamental point of reference in her work. Influenced by Artists such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Constantin Brancusi, she creates distinctive organic forms. Helen portrays a strong aesthetic sensibility, applying the processes of abstraction and exaggeration in the search for the purest representation, striving to capture the essence. Worked in materials such as clay, plaster or wax, the evolving artwork is then cast into bronze or a variety of contemporary materials.Each sculpture can be appreciated purely in terms of its formal qualities; however, each seeks to address traditional social structures. The family is a universal concept understood by many, yet having a complexity of meaning. On a less intimate level it is also a symbol of society. Pure and simple lines are suggestive of strong internal bonds, a powerful cohesive structure representative of community. Helen has also undertaken a number of private commissions over the years, ranging from large concrete sculptures to small bronze pieces, as seen in the private collection of the Atkinson Gallery in Southport. Exhibitions |
| Date | Venue | Location |
| May 06 – June 010 | Calder Gallery | Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire |
| Jan 06 – 07 | Mc Hardy Coombs | London |
| April 06 – July 06 | Organon Ltd | Cambridge |
| Nov -March 06 | Calder Gallery | Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire |
| Oct 05 | Manchester Art Show | GMEX, Manchester |
| Sep 04 – Oct 04 | The Lounge Gallery | Lytham, Lancashire |
| Feb 04 | Arndean Gallery | London, Cork Street |
| Nov 03 – Jan 04 | Mill House Gallery | Parbold, Lancashire |
| July 03 | Atkinson Gallery | Southport, Merseyside |