Helen McCullagh
Helen Oprey
I like to paint the colourful, the thoughtful and the wacky. My work is inspired by my environment. As a Social Worker, I have been exposed to the vulnerable, the wonderful and the quirky. Since becoming a mother I am exposed to innocence, wonderment and mother stress. All these elements combine to influence my work. My paintings are a combination of playful creativity and thoughtful contemplation, hoping to capture something both beautiful and meaningful, but not boring. My driving force is my love of colour and experimentation which takes me on a carefree journey before my adult mind takes over. One that must respect that art is an attempt to capture freedom of expression within the confines of balance, harmony and integrity. I therefore use a variety of mediums and techniques in my paintings. I have had a passion for art all my life.
102 x 102 cm. Acrylic on canvas with textured paper priming. $2300
101 x 101 cm. Acrylic on canvas with textured paper priming. $2100
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Helen Oprey
EXHIBITIONS (group shows) by invitation
2019 - THREESOME - 19KAREN GALLERY (scheduled for NOV-DEC)
2018 - SUMMER EXHIBITION - THE MILK FACTORY GALLERY (BOWRAL)
2017- WHERE ARE THEY NOW WOMEN’S GROUP EXHIBITION -hosted by THE MILK FACTORY GALLERY - Bowral
2016- THE GLOBAL WOMEN’S PROJECT (TRAIL BLAZERS) ART EXHIBITION/ fundraiser as HEADLINE ARTIST
2016- HAPPY GROUP EXHIBITION hosted by Sofitel Hotel and curated by 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace
2015 - RED EXPRESSIONISM GROUP SHOW, 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace - Gold Coast
ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 - Campbelltown FISHERS GHOST Art Award - FINALIST(OPEN)
2018 - Bowral JOHN COPES Portrait Prize - FINALIST
2018 - Bowral BELLE PROPERTY Art Prize - FINALIST
2018 - Bowral PIRTEK Still Life Prize- FINALIST
2018 - Goulburn regional art award - FINALIST
2018 - Cambridge studio Gallery portrait prize - FINALIST
2017 - Contemporary Art Awards - finalist
2017- RSASA Portrait Prize - finalist
2017 - Feature article in HIGHLIFE MAGAZINE (country life in the Southern Highlands of Australia) FEB/MAR 2017
2017 - Lethbridge 10000 small scale art prize - FINALIST
2017 - Wyndham Art Prize - FINALIST
2017- Queer Art Prize - Australian Pride Network - FINALIST
2016- Greenway Art Prize - hosted by Art Est. Gallery & Art School, Leichhardt- FINALIST
2016- Burrawang DNA festival emerging talent grant- SHORTLISTED
2016 - The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize - FINALIST
2016 - The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery Art Prize - selected artist
2016 - PIRTEK STILL LIFE AWARD, Bowral Art Gallery - FINALIST
2016 - GOULBURN REGIONAL ART AWARD, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery - FINALIST
2016 - THE WOMEN’S ART PRIZE, hosted by the city of Ryde -HIGHLY COMMENDED
2016 - KIRRIBILLI CENTRE 40TH ANNIVERSARY ART PRIZE - FINALIST
2016 - LETHBRIDGE 10000 SMALL SCALE ART AWARD - FINALIST
2016 - MARDI GRAS REGIONAL ART PRIZE hosted by Kiama Cultural Arts Network - FINALIST
2015 - CONTEMPORARY ART AWARDS, Brisbane - FINALIST
2015 - WE GET BY ART AWARD hosted by Cooks Hill Gallery, Newcastle - FINALIST
2015 - LITTLE THINGS ART COMPETITION , Saint Cloche Gallery, Paddington - FINALIST
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