The work of Joanne Helman is compositionally simple and direct, which serves to highlight her meticulous oil technique; applying multiple layers of paint with tiny brushes. Although this passion for art began at an early age, leading to studies in art and art history at Kingston College in London, England and a career buying art in the advertising industry, Joanne’s career as a painter did not flourish until later. Born in London England, Joanne and her family initially moved to Toronto temporarily, and later decided to settle there. It was not until after her children began to grow older, that Joanne was able to resume her artistic endeavors. Since then, Joanne’s work has been exhibited across the nation in galleries such as the Whistler Art Gallery, Brush Gallery, and the McMichael Gallery, as well as being held in the collections of corporations and private collectors in London, Toronto, Sydney and New York.

Joanne’s visual vocabulary is given expression in still life. Her approach is restrained, and often her subjects appear in solitude, or in small clusters of the same type. The restriction of subject and composition in her work heightens the emphasis on light and shadows that play upon the surface. The exaggeration of the scale of her subjects seems to refer mechanical enlargement, yet her approach to light and color make reference to old world techniques. In this way, Joanne marries the hard inspection of the modern world to the romantic sensibilities of times past.

Solo Exhibitions

2006  Galerie d’avignon, Montreal – “Fruits of Passion”
2004  Brush Gallery, Toronto - Feature Exhibition
2004  Whistler Art Galleries, BC -"Summer Show"

Selected Group Exhibitions

2009  International Art Show, Toronto – Representation by Trias Gallery
2009  Dunn Street Gallery, Oakville, Ontario – Grand Opening Show
2008  Trinity Galleries, Saint John, NB – Small Works show
2008  Galerie d’avignon, Montreal – 10th Anniversary
2007  Trinity Galleries, Saint John, NB – Small Works Show
2007  Toronto International Art Fair – Representation by Trias Gallery
2007  Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (Juried Show)
2007  Trinity Galleries, Saint John, NB – “Flower Show”
2005  Galerie d’avignon, Montreal – Gallery Artist Group Show
2005  Brush Gallery, Toronto – “For The Love of Red”
2004  Whistler Art Galleries, BC - "Canadian Contemporary Realists"
2004  Wallpower Art Gallery, Toronto
2003  Gallery 133, Toronto
2003  McMichael Gallery, Kleinburg, Ontario - Autumn Art Sale (Juried Show)
2003  Brush Gallery, Toronto - Opening Show
2002  McMichael Gallery, Kleinburg, Ontario
2002  The Gallery Wall, Toronto

Private Collections

C.O. Capital Growth
Cheddington Place Condominiums  
Civvals Chartered Accountants
Equitable Trust
Freedom International Brokerage
Jascot Investments
Mander Group Inc
Neosynergy, USA
Page & Associates

Reviews

"Helman is a painter whose mastery of the seemingly simplistic and limited palette works have garnered a devoted following. From small, exquisite jewels entitled "Red Pear #3" and "Bartlett Pear" to large, intense images such as "Six Red Pears" and "Green Apple", Helman is a wizard with paint" The Whistler Question, August 2004