The objects brought together in the exhibition are closely linked to Helena’s exploration of her heritage. Through them, she revisits memories and emotions associated with her father, who passed away last year. Her work revolves around the question of what part of him lives on within her. She seeks to identify and delve into inherited patterns, and explores which elements continue to shape her identity and artistic language to this day. Opening doors to revisit memories.

Doors with Canister (2015) was inspired by a simple mechanism that Helena’s father, Milan, had constructed in their family home. To make the heavy cellar door easier to open, he devised a gravity-based system: a canister filled with water, suspended from a pulley. The weight of the water helped to balance the door, allowing it to open smoothly and with minimal effort. The canister is more than just a functional object. It represents emotions in motion – a container that is actively laden with weight, whilst simultaneously facilitating movement within itself. Just as the mechanism makes opening a heavy door easier, emotions, when understood and allowed to flow, can make returning to the past less painful and more playful. The work becomes a tool for navigating memories.

Technique: glass blowing, glass casting
Dimension: various
Photo credits: Maria Patzschke and Gidon Schvitz