ABOUT
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.
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.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022
- Solo Exhibition at ArcLabs Research & Innovation Centre (SETU) Waterford.
2018
- ‘Along the Rocks’ Solo Exhibition, Hook Lighthouse, Hook Peninsula
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
- Open Exhibition at Greenacres 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.