Before we get into your work, can you just tell us a little bit about yourself?
I'm Helka, a young artist trying her luck in today's world, who is as scared of the world as she is inspired. More serious facts about me: I was born in Hungary, living in Austria for 8 years now. I was trained more thoroughly in textile art, and painting became a later love affair.
We are curious about your past and your style. When did you get started with art, what are your preferred topics and how would you describe your style?
I completed my training as a textile artist at the high school of art in Pécs (South-Hungary). We were taught all kinds of directions in art, some more superficial, some more profound, it was often up to us which one we wanted to go deeper into. Funnily enough, I was not really interested in painting at that time, I was more into textile design and photography. My love for painting started during covid - exactly in the first week of the covid that is deeply engraved in everyone's mind, which here in Europe was the beginning of March 2020 - I grabbed an empty canvas from the corner of my room and said 'now that I got some extra time on my hands - it's time to try this'. I haven't looked back since. I mean, I still like to work in other mediums, but the positive feedback towards my paintings has dropped me right into this genre pit.
My paintings mainly represent my thoughts and emotions. Most of the time, socially critical elements appear on my canvases, other times reflections on my own life - I often call my paintings a “visual diary”. Every single time I have a painting done, I have a lot of fun seeing what different dream worlds have evolved from my thoughts.
To be part of our project, we asked each artist to address certain topics in their designs that we should all think about more often. Can you briefly explain what your designs are about and what message you want to convey with your designs for maezen.
Also, the exploitation and abuse, profiteering: another common phenomenon. Just as the female figure in my painting is torn to pieces for the purpose of mining her golden blood, we humans are equally prone to seek and nurture relationships that are exploitative.
Where is this all going? I don't know, it's a bit scary.
Last question, is there one thing which is important to you that you would like to share with our community?
Don't be like the phenomenon mentioned in the answer to the third question.
Also: peace and love. I know this slogan has become mainstream and overused, but we actually need it evey day more and more. What if we took it more seriously?
Also, while we're at it: don't buy so much fast fashion. Look at how many cool things can be found in a much more ethical way - here is your example: Maezen.
