Symbolisme & Surrealisme
Hélène Terlien was born in September 1960 in Breda and grew up in Hilversum and Laren-nh.
She now lives and works in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
As a child, drawing was her biggest hobby. Her earliest memories are related to drawing. Later followed by walks on the Larense heath, together with the dog and a sketchbook.
What started with pencil and eraser, went through pen drawings to acrylic paintings and eventually oil paint became her favorite medium to work in.
As an autodidact she learned the techniques by looking at other artists and their work. Esher and Karel Willink were a source of inspiration, but also Chinese and Japanese antique prints.
In the 90s she started selling her pen drawings. In the first instance by showing her work on Sundays at the Amsterdam Thorbecke art market. This was followed by art fairs in Rotterdam (Ahoy), Utrecht (Jaarbeurs) and Antwerp, various art markets throughout the country and group exhibitions. During those years her work evolved from pen drawings to oil paintings.
A combination of oil paint and alkyd, a fast-drying oil paint, proved to be the best medium for the artist to work in.
Soon she developed a clearly recognizable style. Often confused with airbrushing, it really is all made with paint and brushes. The artist therefore calls it drawing with paint.
A fusion of surrealism, magical realism and realism are characteristic of her paintings.
Hélène tells stories through the women, animals and birds, patterns and flowers that she shows in her work.
The artist finds inspiration in history, legends, politics, love, strength and diversity. She recognizes herself in the term 'info junkie', which entails a myriad of possibilities. Subconscious associations, philosophy and emotions, lead to a construction of a complex and well thought-out, elegant and dynamic composition.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, but with a bloodline that brought together several African countries, Belgium and Ireland and influenced by Indonesia and the Netherlands through upbringing, this artist has an interesting background. A background that can be seen in her works in various ways.
About twenty years ago she entered into a collaboration with Arian v.d.Hoeve of Galerie TrésArt from Breda. Since then, her work has been a permanent part of the collection in the gallery and she is represented by Arian. She has since created a large repertoire of work, most of which can be seen in the gallery. Ranging from original, new and older works and prints and giclee's.
Her work has been purchased by art collectors at home and abroad.