New Collage Exhibit Searches Both Inward and Outward

Upon first glance, the collages in Sylvie van Helden’s exhibit The View Within and Without appear to be a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes that come together in tantalizing geometric patterns. Inch closer, and see picturesof essential oils, pomegranates, leaves and chairs that make up the pieces. These unexpected combinations of images were curated by the artist through extensive searches of Instagram using keywords such as devote, purify, or obsess for Helden’s #Mandala collection, which is now on display at the Community Center Art Gallery. The works focus on the different interpretations individuals have of these stereotypically religious words, and explore how users construct the image they want to portray to the outside world. “I like to watch and observe. I always find it fascinating what people are willing to risk and put out there,” Helden said. She pored over results to find Instagram images that fit her desired color palette. This was a very time-intensive part of the creation process, as some keywords returned over 60,000 images.
Through many hours of work – Helden estimated it took about a month to create one mandala – she created a series of collages inspired by her fascination with how people define their experiences on social media. #Mandalas is joined by another Helden collection titled The Legend of the Koi, at the Community Center Art Gallery. Whereas the former is an examination of how people present their lives to the external world, the Koi is an introspective sequence of paintings through which Helden copes with the loss of her brother. The Legend of the Koi is a series of six paintings that depict an interpretation of an ancient Chinese tale about the transformation of a courageous Koi fish into a dragon after his swim up a waterfall. Helden began work on these pieces following the death of her brother to cancer in 2013, processing his difficult journey and her loss through the transformation of the koi fish. Helden said the studio has always been a respite where she can deal with difficult emotions. “From day to day I’m a pretty reserved person. In my studio is where I process and feel those feelings.” Although Legend of the Koi came from a very painful place, Helden’s paintings transform the struggle into something positive. Viewers feel this as well. Among the comments written in the gallery attendee booklet, a message is scribbled in child’s handwriting, with a large smiley face drawn underneath: “It’s beautiful.” Helden reflects that there is something universal about the way she uses color that resonates with an audience, whether a child or adult. “Colors are very evocative. People respond and connect with colors,” she said. Nicole DeWald, arts supervisor at the Community Center, said they were delighted to feature Helden’s work because of “the depths of her concept as well as the visual complexity of the pieces.” DeWald explains they have specific goals when searching for an artist to exhibit. “We present contemporary work in diverse media. We’re always looking for work that has a strong and unique voice. I certainly felt that to be the case with Sylvie’s art.” Helden currently lives and works in Baltimore. The Montreal native was drawn to Maryland to attend graduate school at The Maryland Institute College of Art in 2000. The View Within and Without exhibit is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until January 4.