Helen Petts's Page

Visual artist and film-maker very interested in working with architects and site specific commissions especially in interesting buildings. Frequent collaborator with musicians of free improvised and experimental music and live art both in still photography and video. Recently completed "Oikos" collaboration with Portuguese vocal artist Manuela Barile shot in large deserted house. Also commissioned by Matts Gallery and Anne Bean to make 12 short film collaborations with musicians for "TAPS - Improvisations with Paul Burwell". A large collaborative project of many musicians, live artists, pyrotechnicians who worked with Paul Burwell, percussionist, founder member of the London Musician's Collective and member of the Bow Gamelan Ensemble, who died in 2007. For exhibition at Dilston Grove Gallery (massive former church) in association with Matts Gallery in September 2010. See work on www.vimeo.com/helenpetts. Arts Council of England Awards for films "Poleaxed", with original music by Glynn Perrin, and "Man on Point" collaboration with choreographer Mark Baldwin. More personal art practice involves extremely solitary abstract/landscape based work mainly in video and sound. Also occasional painter with work in private collections. Awarded Arts Admin fellowship 2005. Co-promoter (with guitarist John Russell) of Mopomoso free improvised music night at the Vortex Jazz Club. www.mopomoso.com
Runs Youtube channel - www.youtube.com/helentonic - of free improvisation concerts and associated art work.
Also commissioned by Max Eastley to make film of his sound sculptures. (see youtube site).
Former award winning TV producer/director of arts programmes such as BBC2's The Late Show and Channel 4's Without Walls. (Gave up TV to study Fine Art at Goldsmith's College where mainly concentrated on painting.)
Makes DVDs, videos for websites and provides photographic services for other artists, musicians and record companies. Designs CD covers and art work.
Experienced teacher, mentor and workshop organiser. Just returned from short contract teaching film-making to post-grad music students and ethnomusicologists at Kathmandu University. Contact helenpetts@clara.co.uk