Dr Helen Gørrill

Statement

Helen Gørrill’s collages explore ideas about time, history and reality; using contemporary imagery that juxtaposes with the Old Masters she sets out to reappropriate. Helen’s new artwork focuses on vandalising old masters and reviving art historical portraits through photo bombing and incorporating elements from contemporary sub-cultures, and often incorporates media such as lipstick, eyeliner and human hair. Within this context, the striking images hover between the 17^thcentury and today’s climate of uncertainty; her portaits refuse to become passive viewed subjects as they once were. Helen’s collaged and painted portraits have been commissioned from prestigious clients such as the new Bankside Hotel adj. Tate Modern in London. 

The artist was awarded a Doctorate in contemporary British Painting in 2017, co-supervised by the Royal College of Art. Her PhD thesis Women Can’t Paint was subsequently acquired by the prestigious publishers I.B. Tauris/Bloomsbury. Due for publication in March 2019, the book is predicted to become “an important historical text” and “every art student’s bible”; and underpins the artist's current practice. She is known for her controversial works: in 2009 her degree show, featuring drawings inspired by religious pamphlets that featured dominant women and sexually submissive men, was censored. Guardian writer Henry Porter wrote, "The male figures have been censored but to protect whom? The spam I receive contains more indecency than [Dr] Gørrill's work. And it is much less interesting because she makes a valid point."Gørrill’s practice is prolific and diverse, stemming from international artist residencies – and she is one of the few British artists (alongside Tracey Emin) to have her work selected for New York Brooklyn Museum's digital EASCFA archive.