HELEN MASON
Born in Slade, Helen Mason’ is one of County Wexford’s most successful contemporary artists. Working primarily in organic based acrylics and mixed media, her impressionistic and almost mystical landscapes are iconic, known for their ability to capture the essence of the haunting landscapes of the Hook Peninsula.
About
Growing up in the village of Slade, Helen was part of a tightly knit fishing community and spent her childhood swimming in the sea and exploring the dramatic coastline around the historic Hook Lighthouse. At a young age the savage landscape, its bleakness and its incredible beauty, was etched onto her mind and soul. But when she left school, a desire to travel and experience other ways of living drew her to London where she spent eight years as an architectural project assistant.
Working with Rick Mather Architects, Helen met and became familiar with the work of architectural giants such as Zaha Hadid, Eva Jiřičná, David Chipperfield and Richard Rogers. Her time spent with these award-winning architects was to become a significant influence on her work. This was not in the hard-edged necessity of architectural solutions, but something more ephemeral, a truth to form and materials which is evident in the restrained minimalism that Helen Mason consistently adheres to.
Inevitably, Helen was drawn back to the Hook where she married a fisherman and raised her family. But it was seeing the unique beauty of the landscape anew after her sojourn abroad, that encouraged Helen to paint. She began her journey as a self-taught artist in 2017 and has learned her craft intuitively. Helen has spent the last few years experimenting with ways to capture the essence of being in that liminal place between land and sea. This is a place where, as an avid open-sea swimmer and kayaker, she has first-hand experience. These activities also lend a unique artistic perspective to her work, with a lowered point of view that manages to capture the mystical place where rock meets sand — and sky and sea coalesce. Helen Mason’s work is now much in demand, sought after by locals and visitors to the area, — its’ worth has been recognised by individual and institutional collectors alike, and is included in a number of private collections.
Exhibitions
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
‘Salt Air’ at The Red Door Gallery, Wexford
‘The Sea’ at Dunbrody Abbey Gallery, Wexford
The Art Window at Scurri HQ, Wexford
2023
‘Inscapes’ solo exhibition at Westgate Heritage Centre, funded by Wex Art and Wexford Borough Council as part of Wexford Festival Opera
Selected Works at Big Barn Art and Antiques
2022
Solo Exhibition at ArcLabs Research & Innovation Centre (SETU) Waterford.
2018
‘Along the Rocks’ Solo Exhibition, Hook Lighthouse, Hook Peninsula
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Selected Works at Green Road Gardens, Ramsgrange
Open Submission at Greenacres Gallery, Wexford
2023
Hook Creatives at St Mogues Church, Fethard on Sea
Selected works at Green Road Gardens, Ramsgrange
Spring Exhibition at Greenacres Gallery, Wexford
Open submission at Greenacres Gallery, Wexford
2022
Selected Artists Exhibition at Green Road Gardens, Hook Peninsula
Selected paintings at The Holding Pond, Fethard on Sea
Summer Exhibition at Greenacres Wexford
Open Exhibition at Greenacres Wexford
2021
Christmas Pop Up, The Holding Pond, Fethard on Sea.
Selected paintings, The Holding Pond, Fethard on Sea
2020
Open Submission Exhibition at Greenacres Wexford
2019
Artists’ collective, The Gallery, Dunbrody House Hotel.
Summer exhibition, The Cockleshell Gallery, Duncannon
Nesting exhibition, Green Road Gardens, Hook Peninsula
Lions Club Exhibition, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford
Open Submission Exhibition, Greenacres Gallery, Wexford
2018
WWETB Exhibition, Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford Opera Festival
Selected paintings at The Lighthouse Trading Co, Fethard on Sea
Selected paintings at The Cockleshell Gallery, Duncannon
Group Exhibition, Green Road Gardens, Hook Peninsula
WWETB Exhibition at St Michaels Theatre, New Ross
Club Group Exhibition at Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford
Open Submission Exhibition at Greenacres Gallery, Wexford
ART COLLECTIONS
Dunbrody House, Wexford; Trinity College Dublin, as well as a number of private and commercial collectors.
Commissions:
2021 – Kevin and Catherine Dundon, Dunbrody House.
2019 – Baginbun Lodge – commissioned to provide 36 paintings for the public areas and bedrooms in the Lodge.
2019 – Bazonk Interiors – commissioned to provide 11 paintings.
ARTICLES
Oct 21- Artist Profile, Vogue Magazine. Oct 21.
To the lighthouse, Mary Cate Smith, Sunday Business Post Magazine, June 21.
Power of the sea, Kathy Doughty, Irish Independent, June 21.