Helmut Becker Studio

 

The human face forms the focal point of my sculpture work. In my opinion, it expresses the landscape of the soul.

I work in two media, plaster and clay.

When working in plaster, I create an impression of the face which provides a starting point of study for me. It is the first step to interpret what I am seeing and feeling about this person.

My reliefs in plaster are an extension of the central focal point and form a translation of the cast face. If a sculpture is destined to convey a strong message I choose individuals whose faces are key to its transmission.

Large reliefs, like the triptych, "Cultures in Collision" which was donated by me to the Little Shuswap Indian Band at the occasion of their Convention Center Opening at Quaaout Lodge and the diptych "Destiny" which was chosen to represent the Fraser Region Art Council at the BC Festival of Arts 1995 are statements on cultural relations and the world at large.

My work was selected "Jurors Choice" in recent years at the Shuswap Lake Art Festival 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.

In later years, I turned to clay as my sculpture medium. Creating masks or free standing semi abstract busts, low-fired and stained.

Here too, my subject is the human face.

I have been successful in creating commissioned sculptures solely from photographs of the person.

My latest sculptures are "Women of the Twenties" with period hats.

Sorrento, 2008
Helmut Becker