Helen Pynor’s work reflects her ongoing fascination with the porosity between mind and body, culture and biology, body and memory. Drawing on her own dual backgrounds in the biological sciences and the visual arts, Pynor’s work explores the interiority of the human body, evoking a sense of slippage between time, cultural memory, and the tissues of the body. In the cool, watery, disorientated atmosphere of Helen Pynor’s photographic work, visceral immediacy diffuses into the narratives of other times and divergent cultures, in a gesture that collapses past and present.
In her series The Life Raft, Pynor reflects on the bodies of humans and animals, and the accidents of fate that determine their futures in life and in death. The series entails a collection of nineteenth century insects and crustaceans, which slowly collapse into the paper on which they are mounted. Referencing the history of photography, the artist uses traditional toning and hand colouring of silver gelatin, fibre-based prints, thus creating bespoke images that embody the rich tones and intricacy of the specimen collection itself. Found in Sydney, the collection’s yellowing specimen labels offer clues to the lost provenance, indicating late eighteenth century Europe and Africa. The identity of collector and creatures remain a mystery, inviting speculation on distant and unknown lives.
In the ‘Milk’ series, Pynor presents medicinal plants used by the Dharawal people of the Sydney and Illawarra region of New South Wales. The plants merge with ambiguous fluids that gradually unfurl, as if in slow motion, curling around plants and dispersing through the surrounding medium. The shared fates of bodies and plants entwine, whilst cultural histories and futures (those acknowledged and unacknowledged) are divined.
2010
Doctor of Philosophy, Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
2008
Joint Winner, Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award, Gold Coast City Art Gallery
2007
L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris. 5 month exchange
2006
Fauvette Loureiro Memorial Artists International Exchange Scholarship, Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
2005-current
PhD Visual Arts candidate, Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
2005-2007
University Postgraduate Award, The University of Sydney
2005-2006
‘Antipodes’ Artist Exchange Project, l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris and Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
2005
Artist residency, The Gunnery, Sydney
2001-2004
Lived and worked in Paris, France
2001
Public art commission, The Stanton Library, North Sydney
1998-2001
Artist-in-Residence, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney
1993
Bachelor of Visual Arts (sculpture, photography), Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
1986
Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) (biological sciences), Macquarie University, Sydney
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017
Fallen, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney
The Body is a Big Place, The Old Operating Theatre, London. In collaboration with Peta Clancy
2016
World Science Festival, Eagle Lane public light boxes, Brisbane
2014
The Accidental Primate DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney
Burial, Kandos Projects, Kandos, New South Wales. Collaboration with Peta Clancy.
2013
The Body is a Big Place, Kapelica Ljubljana, Slovenia. Collaboration with Peta Clancy
2012
The Life Raft, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney
2011
Milk, The Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney
Breath, GV Art, London
The Body is a Big Place, Performance Space, Sydney. Collaboration with Peta Clancy
The Body is a Big Place, Leonardo Electronic Almanac. Collaboration with Peta Clancy
2010
Liquid Ground, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney
2009
Swelling, Diane Tanzer Gallery, Melbourne
Milk, Sydney College of the Arts Gallery, Sydney
2008
Milk, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney
Love Letter, Galerie Chez Robert, web-based installation gallery, France
2007
red sea blue water, Dianne Tanzer Gallery, Melbourne
2006
Breathing Shadows, Harrison Galleries, Sydney
2005
Shadowbreath, Linden-St Kilda, Contemporary Arts Centre, Melbourne
1996
Defence, Artspace, Sydney
1994
Worth It, Pendulum, Sydney
The Body Crypta, Selenium, Sydney
1993
Untitled installation, 144 Cleveland Street, Sydney
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017
No Such Thing as Gravity, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung
The Rise of Bio-society, Riddoch Art Gallery Mount Gambier, Australia
The Patient, Manning Valley Regional Gallery Taree, Australia
Seeing Science, Grace Cossington Smith Gallery Sydney
10, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY Sydney
2016
HAAR, Centraal Museum, Utrecht, Netherlands
The Patient: The Medical Subject in Contemporary Art, UNSW Galleries, Sydney
Winter Group Show, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY Sydney
FEMEL_FISSIONS, The Block, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
Octoroon, Ateneo Art Gallery, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
Identity, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY Sydney
2015
Post Mortem, Rommelaere Instituut, University of Ghent Belgium
Chez Robert, FRAC – Le Fonds Régional d’Art Contemporain – Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
Octoroon, La Trobe University Museum of Art, Melbourne and Visual Art Centre VAC, Bendigo, Victoria
Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photographic Award Finalist Exhibition, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Queensland
2014
Berlin-Sydney, Galerie Patrick Ebensperger, Berlin
Encyclopaedia Galactica, GV Art, London
Vanishing Entities, London Science Week, Limewharf, Vyner Street, London
The Mirror (Berlin Reflection) DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY Sydney
2013
TEA/Super-Connect, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung
Art and Science as the Conjectured Possible, National Centre for Contemporary Arts, Kaliningrad, Russia
Synapse: A Selection, ISEA2013 – 19th International Symposium of Electronic Art, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
Oscillator, Science Gallery, Dublin
Brains: The Mind as Matter, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Nature Reserves, GV Art, London
The Body as Evidence, The Gordon Museum, King’s College London
Art and Science, GV Art, London
Diverse Gatherings, No Format, London
2012
CyberArts 2012, Prix Ars Electronica, OK Center for Contemporary Art Linz
Brains: Mind as Matter, The Wellcome Collection, London
Time and Vision, Australia Council for the Arts-London Studio 20-Year Anniversary, Bargehouse, London
Controversy: The Power of Art, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Victoria, Australia
The Body is a Big Place video, The Centre for Tropical Medicine, Ho Cho Minh, Vietnam
Polymath, GV Art, London
5, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney, Australia
Fauvette Loureiro memorial Artist Travel Scholarship, Finalist exhibition, Sydney College of the Arts Galleries, Sydney, Australia
2011
Art-Science, GV Art, London
William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize Finalist Exhibition, Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne, Australia
Trick of Light, Core Gallery, London
Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photographic Award Finalist Exhibition, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Queensland, Australia
Art Stage Singapore, representating Dominik Mersch Gallery, Singapore
2010
Brainstorm, GV Art, London
Hands On, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Sydney
Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London
Experiments on Plant Hybridization, Dianne Tanzer Gallery, Melbourne
5 BY 5, Menier Gallery, London
Melbourne Art Fair, representing Dominik Mersch Gallery, Melbourne
National Photography Prize Finalist Exhibition, Albury Regional Gallery, New South Wales
Psychometry, Core Gallery, London
White Hot, Dianne Tanzer Gallery, Melbourne
AGENDA 2010, DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY, Sydney
Slick, Art Fair, Paris
2009
Hong Kong Art Fair, representing DOMINIK MERSCH GALLERY
RBS Emerging Artist Award Finalist Exhibition, RBS Building, Sydney
William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize Finalist Exhibition, Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne
Wiloughby Sculpture Prize Finalist Exhibition, The Incinerator, Sydney
Fraction, CBA Studios, London
2008
Tendances: Contemporary artists in review, The Art Floor, Geneva
The Vernacular Terrain, Monash Faculty Gallery, Monash University, Melbourne
Postgraduate Degree Exhibition, Sydney College of the Arts Gallery
Josephine Ulrick
Bazaar ’08, Official Satellite Event, 2008 Biennale of Sydney, Clare Hotel, Sydney
2007
Undercurrent MOP Projects, Sydney
Portes Ouvertes, L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris
ABN-AMRO Emerging Artist Award Finalist Exhibition, ABN-AMRO Building, Sydney
L’Art Emmêlé, Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
2006
Antipodes, Point Éphémère, Paris
Post It, Peloton, Sydney
Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize Finalist Exhibition, Woollahra Municipal Chambers, Sydney
2005
Contemporary Collection Benefactors exhibition and auction, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
Antipodes, Sydney College of the Arts Gallery
re/thinking, Bus, Melbourne
Luminous Two, Helen Gory Galerie, Melbourne
Punch, MOP Projects, Sydney
Luxe de Luxe, Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2004
Première Vue, Passage de Retz, Paris
2003
Portes Ouvertes, L’Imprimerie, Paris
1996
Enough, Bankstown Square, Sydney
1995
Sydney Alternative Art, Australian High Commission, Singapore
Waste Not Waste, EcoDesign Foundation, Sydney
Seep, Centennial Park outdoor sculpture symposium, Sydney
1994
Artspace Open, Artspace, Sydney
T.I.P., Bankstown Square, Sydney
1993
The Second Time I Lost My Leg, It Was stolen, Sydney College of the Arts Gallery, Sydney
Unresolved, Airspace, Sydney
1992
Brown Paper Show, Allen Street Gallery, Sydney
value, Allen Street Gallery, Sydney
1991
Natura Morta, NCA, Sydney
1990
Ask Iris, Sydney College of the Arts Gallery, Sydney
Private collections Paris, France
Collection of Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Queensland
Private collections Sydney
Private collection Geneva, Switzerland
Private collection, Adelaide
Macquarie Bank
The Royal Bank of Scotland
The Universitiy of Sydney
Artbank
AWARDS, GRANTS, AND RESIDENCIES
2013
Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts Skills & Arts Development Grant
Australia Council for the Arts, Interarts Project Grant
Arts NSW, New Projects Grant
2012
Honorary Mention, Hybrid Art category Prix Ars Electronica Linz, Austria
Finalist, Fauvette Loureiro Memorial Artists Travel Scholarship Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
Synapse Art, Science Residency Grant, Australian Network for Art and Technology
Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts New Work Grant – Mid-Career Artists
Monash University Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Melbourne, Creative Work Grant
2011
Highly Commended, Traditional Techniques Section, International Lace Award Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
Judges Special Mention, William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize, Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne
Finalist, Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Queensland, Australia
Besen Family Foundation Grant, Australia
Monash University Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Melbourne – Creative Work Grant
NSW Artist’s Grant, National Association for the Visual Arts, Australia
2010
Finalist, National Photography Prize Albury Regional Gallery, New South Wales, Australia
Finalist, Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Queensland, Australia
Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts New Work Grant-Established Artists
Australia Council for the Arts, Interarts Project Grant
Monash University Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Melbourne – Development and Engagement Grant
Marketing Grant, National Association of the Visual Arts, Australia
2009
Winner of RBS Emerging Artist Award, RBS Building, Sydney
Winner of People’s Choice Award, and Highly Commended Willoughby Sculpture Prize The Incinerator, Sydney
2008
Joint Winner of Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Queensland, Australia
2007
Marketing Grant, National Association of the Visual Arts, Australia
2006
Finalist, ABN-AMRO Emerging Artist Award ABN-AMRO Building, Sydney
Marketing Grant, National Association of the Visual Arts, Australia
2005-2008
University Postgraduate Award, The University of Sydney
Postgraduate Research Support Scheme Grant, The University of Sydney, (2005-2007)
2004
Marketing Grant, National Association of the Visual Arts, Australia
2002
Marketing Grant, National Association of the Visual Arts, Australia
1998
Australia Council for the Arts, Professional Development Grant
Australia Council for the Arts, Community Cultural Development Grant
1996
Australia Council for the Arts, Community Cultural Development Grant
1995
Australia Council for the Arts, Community, Environment, Art & Design Grant
Australia Council for the Arts – Community Cultural Development Grant
1994
Marketing Grant, National Association of the Visual Arts, Australia
1993
The University of Sydney, Cultural Grant
The University of Sydney, Shirbin Bursary Artist Residency
1991
The University of Sydney, Sir Frank Packer Bursary, Artist Residency
2011
Editorial, Picture of the Week, British Medical Journal, January
Dr David Dexter, Brainstorm art exhibition demystified the brain – it is not ‘degrading’, Guardian online, UK, 14 Jan,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jan/14/brainstorm-exhibition-brain-gv-art
2010
Jane O’Sullivan, What Now? Helen Pynor, Australian Art Collector Oct/Nov/Dec, p. 116-117
Andrew Taylor, Body is Beautiful, The Sun-Herald 31 Oct, p. 34
Anne Ferran, On Liquid Ground, catalogue essay, Dominik Mersch Gallery
Lynne Dwyer, Liquid Ground Open Gallery, Sydney Morning Herald 13 Nov, p.12
Juliet Gauchat, Liquid Ground Das SuperPaper Issue 16, 52-57
2009
Lenny Ann Low, Twisted Whiskers, Sydney Morning Herald, 16-17 May, p. 10
Ashleigh Wilson, Prize Won With Ancient Knowledge, The Australian 21 Oct 2009, p. 16
Esther Rose Berry, Aestheticising Transnationalised Hair: Envisaging Difference in the Sculptures of Helen Pynor, Trunk, One: Hair, eds Suzanne Boccalatte & Meredith Jones, p. 98-103
Ashley Crawford, Dianne Tanzer Gallery, Art World Issue 8, April/May 2009, p. 168-169
2008
Ashley Crawford Pynor’s Lore catalogue essay, ‘Milk’ exhibition, Dominik Mersch Gallery.
Ashley Crawford Visceral Voyeur profile article Photofile issue 83, pgs 44-47
2007
Clara Iaccarino Undercurrent review, ‘Undercurrent’ exhibition, MOP Projects, Open Gallery, Spectrum, Sydney Morning Herald 28-29 July, p.16
Jacqueline Millner Undercurent catalogue essay, ‘Undercurrent’ exhibition, MOP Projects
Jan Guy Tides of Hair review article Lino, issue 18, pgs. 80-85
Jan Guy Never Ever Been a Blue Calm Sea: Notes on the works of Helen Pynor catalogue essay, ‘red sea blue water’ exhibition, Dianne Tanzer Gallery
Jan Guy Helen Pynor red sea blue water catalogue essay, ‘red sea blue water’ exhibition, Dianne Tanzer Gallery, In Trouble, May, p. 12-13
Editorial Undercurrent review, ‘Undercurrent’ exhibition, MOP Projects, SCA Fold, August, p. 4
2006
Antipodes catalogue for ‘Antipodes’ artists’ exchange project and exhibition, Point Éphémère, Paris
Sundandah Creagh Breathing Shadows review, ‘Breathing Shadows’ exhibition, Harrison Galleries, Open Gallery, Spectrum, Sydney Morning Herald 22-23 April, p.16
Jan Guy Breathing in the Shadows of Aporia catalogue essay, ‘Breathing Shadows’ exhibition, Harrison Galleries
Esther Berry From Temple to Transnational: The Politics of Hair and its Globalisation unpublished thesis, Department of Gender Studies, The University of Sydney, pgs. 32-34, 38-39, 44, 47, 74, 78
Tom Arthur Antipodes article on ‘Antipodes’ artists’ exchange project and exhibition, SCA Fold, April, p. 3
2005
Jan Guy The Shadow of Breath catalogue essay, ‘Shadowbreath’ exhibition, Linden-St Kilda Contemporary Arts Centre
Jan Guy Arriving Here from No/where (Erewhon) conference paper presented at Eye-site: Situating Practice and Theory in the Visual Arts, The Art Association of Australia and New Zealand conference, Sydney
Anne Kay & Jane Polkingthorne The MCA Tapes video interview, exhibited at the ‘Situation’ exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
Contemporary Collection Benefactors catalogue for exhibition & auction, Art Gallery of New South Wales
Generation K catalogue for ‘Luxe de Luxe’ exhibition, Kuala Lumpur
Antipodes catalogue for ‘Antipodes’ Artists’ Exchange Project and exhibition, Sydney College of the Arts
Adlin Rosli avenue K Gone Luxe de Luxe review of ‘Luxe de Luxe’ exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Klue, February, p. 22
2004
Michel Nuridsany Helen Pynor catalogue essay, ‘Première Vue’ exhibition, Passage de Retz, Paris
2001
Ali Benton Totally Mosaic review of public art project in the Adolescent Medical Unit, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, SBS web magazine
1997
Julia Jones Artful Protest: Review of the Tradition of Environmental Art in Australia review of ‘Waste Not Waste’ project, Real Time, Aug/Sept, p. 8
Winsome Byrne Newtown Wants to Clean Up Its Act review, Newtown Bin Project, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 Dec, p. 37
1996
Chang Jing Er Ecology, Design and Developing A New Thinking review, ‘Waste Not Waste’ Project, Sing Tao, Hong Kong, 20 March, p. E6
Samantha Donnelly Defences catalogue essay, ‘Defence’ installation, Artspace
Caroline Pidcock Waste Not Waste review, ‘Waste Not Waste’ publication, Architecture Australia, Sept/Oct, p. 38
Neil Blenkiron Waste Not Waste review, ‘Waste Not Waste’ publication, Renew, Oct/Dec, p. 75
1994
Mark Jackson The Space of the Fold catalogue essay, ‘The Body Crypta’ exhibition, ‘Ship of Fools’ program
