Helen Merrigan Colfer
Helen Merrigan Colfer is a native of Co. Wexford. She is a qualified professional fine artist and art teacher. Helen studied art for five years at W.I.T. and the Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork , where she graduated with the following qualifications: Helen taught art at secondary level from 1987-90 in New Ross, Co. Wexford before becoming head of the art department from 1990-2004 in Athlone Community College, Co. Westmeath. She was also employed as a State Art Examiner for the Department of Education and Science for ten years. Over the years she has given classes in portfolio preparation for Art College and art classes for adults. Helen works with a broad range of media which are layered, obtaining a built up textural finish. The use of line is also important, forming an almost organic multicoloured fibrous mesh which often envelopes the human form. Attention to detail is contrasted with areas which are treated with loose fluid brush/palette strokes. She has always been fascinated with the human form (both internal and external); Helen's work at present is predominated by figure studies. She also explores inner structures & their relationship to the outer layer of the body: the idea of outer & inner surfaces transposed. She is particularly interested in contrasting sections of the skeletal structures of the body to the external body form, using inner structures which are a form of subsurface scaffolding. These structures create their own intrinsically beautiful patterns contrasting with external volumes & geometries. The outer surfaces of these studies are enmeshed by myriad lines interconnecting to give the skin an appearance of fine bone china – both delicate & beautiful; this becomes translucent in areas revealing a contrasting subterranean level of inner support structures that are in themselves uniquely beautiful & complex. In 2004 she left teaching to pursue a fulltime career in fine art and returned with her husband to live in Co. Wexford, where she works from her studio in their home in Wexford. Examples of Helen's work can be seen at Gormleys Fine Art Gallery in Dublin & Belfast. Recent exhibitions: Web: www.helenmerrigancolfer.com E-mail: helen@helenmerrigancolfer.com Tel: 086 084 7766
Upon completion of her fine art diploma in 1986 she was selected to exhibit her work at the Graduate Exhibition in Temple Bar Gallery Dublin.