EXPLORING THE ORDINARY TO UNVEIL UNIQUE BEAUTY
ARTIST: HELEN SHEARWOOD
EXPLORING THE ORDINARY TO UNVEIL UNIQUE BEAUTY
Helen Shearwood is a British-Australian artist whose work reveals a profound fascination with perspective— its ability to transform, elevate, and uncover hidden beauty in the most unexpected places. Known for her abstract photography, Helen captures the extraordinary within the ordinary, a reflection not only of her unique artistic vision but of her deeply personal journey through adversity and healing. Her work transcends traditional aesthetics, operating as both a therapeutic expression and a psychological exploration, anchored in her lived experience of overcoming significant health challenges. Through her lens, the world is reimagined, and fleeting moments are frozen into quiet— yet bold— reflections of hope.
Helen’ s journey as an artist took a transformative turn one particularly challenging morning during a walk, when she noticed a crack in the concrete. What most would dismiss as mundane, Helen saw as poetic— an imperfect line of beauty, a“ fleeting moment of hope” that ignited something within her. This simple, overlooked detail marked the beginning of her photographic practice. She began to notice more and more of these quiet, broken, or forgotten corners of the world, capturing them from angles and perspectives that revealed their silent, enduring grace. In doing so, she turned her external environment into a deeply internal process of rediscovery and healing, often saying that art“ saved my life.”
Helen’ s work is defined by its ability to alchemise brokenness into beauty. She transforms her subject matter— photographs of ordinary, weathered, or fragmented scenes— into bold, abstract compositions that convey something tangible and emotionally resonant, sometimes enhanced with hand embellishments or digital collage. Her style pays homage to abstract expressionism, drawing inspiration from artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Like her influencers, Helen is unafraid of seeing in a new way; she finds freedom in redefining labels and strength in imperfection. Playing with paradox, she loves to combine the gritty with the refined; order with chaos— akin to our own non-linear selves, where conflicting aspects can co-exist.
In 2022, Helen set her sights on finding gallery representation. Drawn to the ethos and artist roster of Linton & Kay Galleries, particularly their representation of contemporary pop artist Johnny Romeo, she reached out with the hope of joining their fold. The connection was instant. Since then, Helen has been proudly represented by Linton & Kay Galleries in Australia.
Her upcoming exhibition, Broken Boards, will be presented from 13 September to 26 October 2025 at Linton & Kay Galleries Cherubino in Margaret River, Western Australia. This new collection continues Helen’ s exploration of transformation and resilience by focusing on surfboards— specifically, their wear and tear. Each piece will tell a visual story of impact, movement, and survival, echoing the human condition and the marks we all carry. For Helen, these broken boards are metaphors for experience and endurance— physical reminders of adventure, loss, repair, and beauty born from vulnerability.
Helen Shearwood’ s art is a reminder that even in brokenness, there is grace. Through perspective, memory, and abstraction, she invites us to see the world— and ourselves— anew. Her work is not only visual but emotional, a quiet testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to transform pain into possibility.
“ In the hustle of our daily lives, moments often slip by unnoticed, yet within the ordinary lies a tapestry of beauty, and deeper meaning. What appears trivial at first glance can carry profound significance when viewed through a different lens.”
Helen Shearwood is represented by Linton & Kay Galleries. lintonandkay. com. au
Exhibition Details:
• Exhibition Dates: 13 September to 26 October 2025
• Venue: Linton & Kay Galleries Cherubino, Margaret River, Western Australia
• Coinciding Event: Margaret River Open Studios
For media enquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact: Helen Shearwood helen @ helenshearwood. com
OR Miranda Brown General Manager Linton & Kay Galleries miranda @ lintonandkay. com. au / 0417 171 021