Capturing beauty and
finding meaning in
life’s ordinary moments
The first act of insight is throw away the labels.
— Eudora Welty
My art is a story of discovering beauty in the ordinary, and insights in adversity, by looking at life in a different way.
Essentially, it is about redefining labels, seeing things in your own unique way and coming back to who you truly are, before the world told you who you should be.
Photography is my core art practice, but I also work in collage, painting and textile design, as I continue to define what matters to me, and what brings me joy. More
Helen Shearwood
explores the ordinary
and brings us beauty.
— Linton & Kay
Photo of a letterbox
'Beauty, Uncovered'
'Electricity'
Photo of a rubbish bin
Photo of a kerb
'How the Light Gets In'
Helen’s work is defined by its ability to alchemise brokenness into beauty. She transforms her subject matter into bold, abstract compositions that convey something tangible and emotionally resonant.
— Urbane Gazette (Vol 7 Issue 1)
Solo exhibitions
My practice has evolved with me, as I continue to push forwards into new concepts and expressions of self. It has taken 6 years to produce 3 solo exhibitions, each filled with raw grit, heart and soul.
My latest exhibition, Broken Boards, opens 13 Sep at Linton & Kay Margaret River.
Infinite Beauty
Exhibited at Linton & Kay Subiaco
8-23 October 2022
Gritty photographs of ordinary objects, transformed into art, explore the profound effect that perspective can have on every aspect of our lives and the freedoms it affords when we choose to question and interpret what we encounter for ourselves instead of accepting previously acquired labels as ‘truths’.
Alchemy
Exhibited at Linton & Kay Subiaco
15-31 March 2025
Based on close-up photographs of everyday objects, re-imagined through digital collages and hand-embellished with acrylic and 21 karat gold, this exhibition explores three layers of alchemy: transforming the ordinary into art; perceived flaws into treasures; and challenges into metaphorical gold. Above all else, it is a powerful uncovering and reclamation of self.
Broken Boards
COMING SOON
Linton & Kay Margaret River
13 Sep to 26 Oct 2025
Broken Boards invites viewers to see with fresh eyes and awaken new possibilities. Featuring photographs of broken surfboards, this exhibition highlights the beauty in imperfection while exploring the power of perspective and the insights to be found in adversity.
With so many inspiring
lessons to be learnt from
Helen’s work, one of the most
profound is the importance of
keeping our eyes open to what
everyday life has to offer.
— BGC Home magazine issue 2