Interview
Helis Podnek
Helis was born and raised in Estonia. She is currently residingin Canada. Although, she’s been drawing since she can remember, in her younger years she was more into oil painting but around 2010, she focused on pencil and have been staying in this medium ever since. Helis’ artwork is compromised of critical views on social, political, and cultural issues. She also incorporates simple joys and light in everyday life. While she portrays real plants and animals they represent actual events, public and/or social figures. She use her art as a medium of storytelling through traditional materials as graphite and pastel pencils on cotton paper. Her goal is to inspire those who see her work to look more carefully at the world around us, find beauty and acknowledge parts that we tend to turn a blind eye to.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born and raised in Estonia. Art has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I went to Art School of Tallinn, followed with Tallinn Art Gymnasium and Estonia Academy of Arts. I did my internship in New York, mentored by Ellen Frank. Although, I've been drawing since I can remember, at that time I was more into oil painting but around 2010, I focused on pencil and have been staying in this medium ever since. Currently, I'm working away in Canada.”
What inspires you?
“Life. The good and the bad. Conversations we have and the ones we try to ignore.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Always. I believe as artists there is a social responsibility of communicating with your audience. Creating pretty things will leave us empty in the end. Which some of us are. I'm interested what’s under the surface. Real feelings, the hurt, the joy, what we try to cover, awkward moments in everyday life etc.”
How would you describe your work?
“Storytelling through lines. I'm a lover of details and fine lines.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Ahh so many to name! Es Devlin, Louise Bonnet, Nicolas Party, JR to name a few.”
What is your creative process like?
“I look for an emotion, something that hits the nerve. Once I've found it - I sketch it, research it, sketch it again. Once I've finalized my thoughts and feelings, I disappear to my artist den for few months to a year to make it happen.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role in society is to stay true to themselves, expressing themselves through art with full enjoyment of the process with very little care of how it’s perceived. Being creative falls away for most, yet some continue and never let go. For myself, I feel I am living in my authenticity and fulfilling my soul’s purpose. We’re here to inspire and start a conversation, and give the audience more than what they came with time and time again.”
Website: helispodnek.com
Instagram: @podnek
