Helen Beard is a celebrated British artist, born in 1971 in Birmingham, England. Having studied at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design, Beard works with a variety of disciplines including paint, collage, tapestry, and sculpture. Beard’s vibrant oeuvre, overflowing with an array of rainbow hues, explores themes such as gender and sexual psychology. Beard is known for her unapologetic exploration of female sexuality, employing a feminist lens in order to subvert and take back ownership of the sexual imagery that is often portrayed in the mainstream media. Beard’s works challenge the notions of female passivity through her raw depictions of desire, immersing the viewer in an unapologetic world of pleasure.

Initially starting her career in the film industry as an assistant art director, Beard’s cinematographic background runs throughout her current practice in the experimental angles and perspectives that are applied to the subject matter. From close crops to wide shots, the paintings are a celebration of the corporeal experience that present a landscape of intimacy. Additionally, Beard’s painting technique leaves a texture of brushstrokes that mimics a stroking motion further emphasising the haptic nature of the works. The close crops in particular place the works at a crossroads between abstraction and representation, which is further emphasised by the broad swathes of unadulterated colour that bring both a sense of vitality and the metaphysical to the scenes. Furthermore Beard’s use of form and shape further subvert traditional depictions of female sexuality, critiquing the theatrics of the pornographic image. The scenes are now pared back to the primacy of pleasure, presenting women as the subject rather than the object. It is also important to note Beard’s portrayal of inclusivity and diversity within her subjects, placing the spotlight on experiences that are often censored.

Beard’s works have been exhibited internationally, in both solo and group shows at galleries such as Unit in London and Reflex in Amsterdam. One of Beard’s first exhibitions was held at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery in 2018, titled Simulation/ Skin: Works from the Murderme Collection. In addition Beard showcased her second solo show with Reflex Amsterdam titled The Tulips Are Too Excitable, It Is Winter Here, exploring the theme of memory and recollection within the context of the body as a physical repository. In addition, Beard has been collected by a number of prominent collections including the Murderme Collection, The Goss Michael Foundation, and the Bunker Foundation (Rudin De Woody Collection). Beard currently lives and works in Brighton, England.