Helena Skerlj-Rovers: Recent Works and the Stories Behind Them

Every artwork carries its own moment; its own mood, season, and story. In this trio of works, we see an artist navigating different phases in her practice. Helena gives her insight on her three latest works on show in the gallery. 

Gathering

"This piece, Gathering was made for Peep, a window gallery in Palmerston North, and is really a standalone work, quite separate from the other two more recent ones. I can totally understand the feeling of disconnect between the three pieces. 

Though it lies in the realm of abstraction, Gathering undoubtedly sits more comfortably with the Dinner Party and Woman with a glass of Wine in its use of colour and overall tone of the work. It is a spring time piece, an exploration of new life coming in, hinting figuratively at landscapes and florals but still very much sitting in the realm of the abstract. "

The Swan 

"The Swan was inspired by a small silver mustard bowl that my Nana gifted to me, originally gifted to her by her mother after an overseas trip."

Sentimental Animals

"Sentimental Animals is based on a photograph of Nellie and I - representative of another vein of family."

"The Swan and Sentimental Animals are visually and conceptually a duo. These two works are speaking to familial connection, the expansion and shifting of family and familial dynamics - stylistically I was inspired by childhood nostalgia in the bright colour pallet and in the bold, graphic quality of the imagery, almost reminiscent of early 2000’s video games and graphic novels."

There’s something really special about seeing an artist at this stage. Early in their practice, still exploring, still surprising even themselves. These works feel like a burst: bold, experimental, emotionally charged. They might not follow a clear line, but that’s part of their charm. Each one captures a moment of discovery, a feeling being worked out in real time. And that kind of raw, intuitive energy? It’s rare.