About

Artist Statement

Helen Perrett enjoys making works with a slightly fantastical quality. It is essentially illustrative/narrative in theme, referencing her interests in travel, language, art history, animals, gardening and reading.

"I like to draw on history, literature, mythology, children’s book illustration and the rich history of ceramics for inspiration. I have been influenced by my love of children's book illustration and favourite artists include William Heath Robinson, Arthur Rackham, Michael Hague, Chris Riddel, Mervyn Peake, Nick Bantock, Peter Suart, Shaun Tan and Kay Neilsen... and I could go on!"

Helen Perrett works mainly with terracotta clays but then complicates life by enjoying modeling and throwing with porcelain.

She mainly fires in an electric kiln to earthenware temperatures but enjoys forays into soda firing and raku.

Most of the sculptural works are finished with layers of coloured slips and oxide washes.

C.V.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Auckland University, Majoring in Art History and English Literature
Diploma of Ceramic Arts, Otago Polytechnic (distance) 2006 – 2009
Bronze casting summer school with David Reid CEAC, 2009
Urban Archaeology, with Bronwynne Cornishh,Art Station 2005
Mask making, bas relief summer school with Donna Demente 2005
Certificate of Home Garden Design, Unitec, Auckland 1994-95

Professional Affiliations

Member of ASP since 2000, ASP Committee 2007-2013, Secretary 2011-2013
Member of NZ Society of Potters
Founding member of Urban Archaeology Collective 2005 –

Teaching

2010- Absolute Beginners at Auckland Studio Potters with Jo Raill

Overseas And Residencies

2012 Year of the Dragon teapot exhibitions in Shanghai and Beijing
2011 Year of the Rabbit teapot exhibitions in Shanghai and Beijing
2010 Year of the Tiger teapot exhibitions in Shanghai and Beijing.
2009 Wood Kiln building in Dehua, Fujian Province, China www.yuejiyao.com

Exhibitions & Awards

Awards

2015 Merit Award, Fire and Clay, Auckland Studio Potters Annual Exhibition. Selector: Duncan Shearer
2014 People's Choice, Claybenders, The Depot
2012 Premier Award, Auckland Studio Potters Annual Exhibition, Selector: Philip Clarke
2012 Merit Award, Royal Easter Show
2009 Merit Award, Fire and Clay, Auckland Studio Potters Annual Exhibition, Selector: Rick Rudd
2009 Merit Award, Capital Clay Ceramics Exhibition, Tertiary Student Competition, NZ Society of Potters Wellington, Selector: Aimee McLeod
2009 Merit Award, Domesticware, Auckland Studio Potters, Selector: Margaret Sumich
2008 People’s Choice ASP Annual Exhibition, Fire and Clay
2008 Les and Sonia Andrew’s Scholarship

Exhibitions

2018 Beautiful Creatures, group show, Kereru Gallery, Mapua
2018 Cloak the Land, group show Kereru Gallery, Mapua
2017 Lost & Found with Susan St Lawrence, Artspost, Waikato Museum
2017 Pt Chev Goes to the Dogs, Front Room Gallery, Auckland
2017 Claybenders, Diploma of. Era if Arts Show, Arthaus, Auckland
2014-16 Claybenders, Diploma of Ceramic Art Show, Depot, Devonport
2016 Library of Legends, Artspost, Hamilton with Susan St Lawrence
2016/17 Art In A Garden, Canterbury
2016 Fire Force group ceramics show Waiheke Community Gallery, Waiheke Island
2016 LUSH group ceramics show Artspost, Hamilton
2016 The Artist's Room Gallery, with painters Nico Maddill and Sue Syme. Dunedin
2015 Through the Looking Glass, mixed media group show, Quirky Fox, Hawera, Taranaki
2015 Small Stories 2, with Susan St Lawrence, Front Room Gallery, Pt Chevalier, Auckland
2015 Art In A Garden, Hawarden, Canterbury
2015 StUF From the Collections of St Ursula Ferrett, Kina Artspace with Susan St Lawrence
2015 Painters and Potters, The Vivian, Matakana with Sarah Guppy

2014 WishUwereHere, Artspost, Hamilton Museum and Art Gallery. Joint show with Susan St Lawrence
2003-2017 Fire and Clay, Auckland Studio Potters Annual Selected show
2006 – 2017 Big Clay Day Out, Diploma Student and Graduate Show, Onehunga
2013 Art Fusions, Carmel College. 2011-14 King’s College Art Sale
2013 Nine Degrees of Happiness, A Fine Line Gallery, Matakana. Group show
2012 Random Moments of Joy, A Fine Line Gallery, Matakana. Group ceramics show
2012 Noble Restaurants, Shanghai, International Year of the Dragon Teapot Show
2011 Noble Restaurants, Shanghai and Beijing International Year of the Rabbit Teapot Show
2011 NZ Society of Potters, Unitec, Winners of Les and Sonia Andrews Scholarship Exhibition
2011 Drawing on Clay Exhibition, A Fine Line Gallery, Matakana. Group show
2010 All You Ever Wanted, Depot Artspace, Devonport, January 2010 Group show.
2010 Best in Show, Graduates of 2010, Objectspace, April 2010 (17 selected designers, sole ceramicist)
2010 Great Expectations, Diploma students and graduates show, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa
2010 Artists in Eden, Installation with sculptor Peter Lange
2010 ASP Annual Exhibition, Fire and Clay, Graduate display
2010 Noble Restaurants, Shanghai and Beijing International Year of the Tiger Teapot Show
2009 Toby Jug Show, Whitianga, Kings College Art Show; Under $100 Show at NorthArt
2009 Capital Clay, NZ Society of Potters National Exhibition, Wellington, Selected show
2008 Light My Fire, Group Show (six ceramicsts); Depot Artspace, Devonport
2008 Artworks at the Hilton; Carmel College Art Show; Pukekohe Arts Festival
2007 Digging It, Urban Archaeology Collective, Corbans Estate Arts Centre
2007 Cone City Clay, NZ Society of Potters Selected Exhibition, Compendium Gallery
2007 Mazda Artworks at the Hilton, by invitation
2007 New Work, New Faces, Diploma Students Group Show, Northart
2007 Brush and Bean, Group show, Mt Eden; ArtFusions Carmel College Art Show
2006 Cone City, NZ Society of Potters Selected Exhibition, Artful Gallery, Newmarket
2006 Women Artists, sole ceramic artist with three painters, Artful Gallery, Newmarket
2005 Fragments, Urban Archaeology Collective, Art Station
2003 Wonderwomen, Group show, Art By The Sea, Devonport, three ceramicists