ABOUT
Helen Fraser: Multidisciplinary Artist and Craftivist
Helen Fraser is a multidisciplinary visual artist, craftivist, and psychoanalytic psychotherapist working on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Taungurung, and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, Australia. Her interdisciplinary artistic practice is a nuanced exploration of interconnection, weaving together archival research, oral histories, textile inspired motifs, music, sacred geometry, and dreamwork.
Informed by her rich background as a psychologist, drummer, and dedicated yoga practitioner, Fraser creates deeply introspective works that illuminate the liminal spaces between personal and collective experiences. Her recent artistic investigations centre on the mandorla—the generative space formed by intersecting circles—which serves both as a metaphorical lens and a methodological approach to understanding transformative connections.
Helen's craftivism practice is fundamentally about creating compassionate spaces for acknowledging and processing complex historical narratives. Her work critically examines capitalist structures while amplifying marginalized voices through collaborative artistic practices. A significant ongoing project - Yumi Olgeta: Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy - involves a profound collaboration with Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson and the Napen Napen custom women of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Through carefully crafted embroidery and applique workshops, participants can digest the painful history of Australia's Blackbirding slave trade, transforming historical trauma into a collective act of remembrance, healing and recognition.
Notable contributions to craftivism include participation in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Quilt Project (#UDHR Quilt Project), #UHDR Embroidery Sampler #Covid19 Quilt, Six Moments in Kingston, Nasty Women Art Exhibition NYC, You are So Very Beautiful Melbourne, and various community art initiatives. Her quilt block from the #UDHR Quilt project was projected onto Old Parliament House during the 2019 Enlighten Canberra Festival. After the successful launch of the first quilt, she is now coordinating the second "Yumi Olgeta: Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy Quilt," which documents the complex history of Benjamin Boyd and the first Pacific Islander workers brought to New South Wales. This significant work is set to be gifted to the City of Sydney. Helen is currently working on a Chapbook as part of the series called "Craft for Social Change" to be published by RIT University Press, New York State, USA. It will tell the story of how and why she developed the Yumi Olgeta: Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy collaboration. She hopes to inspire others to create their own craftivism projects and career and to bring further recognition to the truth of Australia's history.
In addition Helen is currently working on illustrations for "On the Day We Were Born" with author and psychologist Kirsty Bowness, a supportive resource for new mothers navigating the life-changing journey into motherhood.
With six solo exhibitions and participation in numerous group shows, Helen's work is represented in private and public collections both in Australia and internationally. Her work can be purchased through regular solo and group shows, Radius Art Hepburn Springs in Victoria, Australia and her website and mailing list. Studio visits can be arranged by appointment. Overall her practice exemplifies the powerful intersection of art, social justice, and transformation.
5% of all profits from this business are donated to the Australian South Sea Islanders, Port Jackson, Sydney on an annual basis.
Curriculum Vitae
Solo Exhibitions
2023 Under One Sky, Town Hall Broadmeadows Gallery, Broadmeadows.
2020 The Jefferson Grid, Hume Global Learning Centre Public Gallery, Sunbury.
2018 Tassels and Fragments, Falkner Gallery, Castlemaine
2017 Mountain Is Myself, Gallerysmith Project Space , North Melbourne
2017 Mummy, I’ve Lost my Teddy, Alternating Current Art Space, Windsor
2013 Footsteps Through the Forest, Exhibit Artist Space, Kyneton
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023 Connect Apart, Mt Macedon Gallery with Kaz Vanders Ceramics
2023 Connections, Falkner Gallery, Castlemaine includes Castlemaine Festival
2023 Out of the Racks, Radius Art, Hepburn Springs
2021 Radius Gallery, Hepburn Springs
2021 Compact, Alternating Current Art Space, Windsor, Melbourne
2021 Journey, Falkner Gallery, Castlemaine includes Castlemaine Festival
2019 Xmas Show, Falkner Gallery, Castlemaine
2019 Artistic Needles, Embroiderers Guild Annual Exhibition
2019 Crafting Resistance, Kingston Arts
2019 St Kevins Art Show, Melbourne
2019 Six Moments in Kingston Public Bus tour (part of Tal Fitzpatrick’s exhibit)
2018-20 UDHR Quilt Project Exhibition, Old Parliament House, Canberra
2018 Embroidery For All Seasons, Embroidery Guild of Vic, Bendigo Branch
2018 Small Works From a Big Place, Jumpleads, Central Victoria
2018 Follow the Thread, Living Arts Space, Bendigo
2018 Camberwell Art Show, Melbourne
2018 Collaberration with Danish Quapoor, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
2017 Annual Altered Book/Book Arts Exhibition, Marin MOCA, California
2017 Nasty Women Everywhere, Melbourne
2017 Nasty Women Art Exhibition, New York
2015 White Shoe Box Gallery, Castlemaine State Festival
2015 Art in the Streets, Bendigo
2014 Diversity, Black Anther Gallery, Woodend
2013 Imagine, Bakery Lane, Woodend
2013 Picture This, Gasworks Art Park
Public Installation
2023
Hume City Council 22-23 Mural Program located at Tulsa Drive Reserve, Goonawarra, Sunbury. Features artworks from Under One Sky Collection including Under One Sky and Rainbow. Both paintings are now in private collections in Melbourne.
2020
Tassel Ink Drawing titled ‘Exuberance’ used in ‘Site Echoes’, Movenpick Hotel, Hobart, Julie Stoneman and Futago 2020, Digital Print in Glass.
2019
United Declaration of Human Rights Quilt Block (Article 4: Ban on Slavery) shown on the front of Old Parliament House in Canberra during the Enliven Canberra light show on Friday 8th March, 2019.
Bibilography
‘Local Artist Explores Pandemic in Solo Show’, Gisborne Gazette, May 2023 Edition, p.15.
‘Decolonise through Creative Practice: currently writing a book for RIT Press in Rochester, New York State about the ASSI Collaborative Quilt and my involvement with the Australian South Sea Islanders. Due to be published 2023/4
Yumi Olgeta Embroidery and Applique Instruction Booklet in collaboration with the Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson. Funded by City of Sydney.
‘Creativity takes Flight’, Sunbury Leader, Tuesday Mar 3rd, 2020, p.6
‘The Jefferson Grid’,This is Sunbury Magazine, March 2020 Edition, p 12-15.
Children of Sugar Slaves; Black and Resilient, Waskam Emelda Davis Masters Thesis (2020)
‘Yumi Olgeta; an Inclusive Craftivism Workshop’, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra
‘The Democratic Power of Craftivism’, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra
‘Enhance Your Natural Beauty with Creativity’, Medicare Beauty Digital Magazine, USA
‘It is Never Too Late to Create; Fulfilling Your Dream to be an Artist at Midlife’, Medicare Beauty Digital Magazine, USA
‘A Long Search For My True Voice’, Down Under Textiles, Edition 34, Nov/Dec 2018, p.73-76.
Gisborne Gazette: ‘A Meditative Exhibition’, April 2018, p. 10
MindFood Magazine: 2018 Future Trends Report – Slavery in Art Form, Jan/Feb 2018, p.11.
Looking Down Under: Contemporary Artists From Australia, 2016, p.164-165.
Bendigo Advertiser, ‘A Child Of The Forest’, February 18, 2015, p. 04
Bendigo Advertiser, 'Art In The Streets 2015: Showcasing Local and Regional Artists', February 13, 2015, p.03 & .06
Sunbury Leader, 'Childhood Memories Come To Life', June 11, 2013, p. 07
Radio
Joy949 FM, Sunday Arts Magazine presented by David Hunt (The Art Hunter), Neil D’Vauz, Justin Porter and Eve Gilbert on Sunday 28th May at 4.10pm.
ABC Radio Canberra interview by Greg Bayliss on Saturday 17th August, 2019, 7.07am to discuss Craftivism and the Yumi Olgeta:Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy Workshop being held that afternoon at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
ABC Central Victoria interview by Derek Guille with Sharon Seyd, Founder of Jumpleads and curator of Small Works From a Big Place travelling exhibition. Topics included the exhibition and the importance of buying local art. Thursday 22nd Nov, 2018, 6.40am.
Podcast
Contributor to Crista Cloutier’s podcast series for artists ‘The Working Artist: Step-by-Step Guide from Feather to Wings. Interviewed via Skype on 11th June 2019.
Panel Discussion
"Health, Art and Happiness"; Part of Marco Luccio's Exhibition Cuorosensa: A Reverse Archaeology at Fortyfive Downstairs 4-29 April 2023. On Saturday 22nd April TV and Radio Host, David Hunt, The Art Hunter interviewed Marco Luccio - Artist, Guy Grossi - Chef, Ian Summers - Emergency Physician and Photographer, Helen Fraser - Artist, Psychologist and Psychotherapist about the positive impact of art in our lives.
Collections
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra, Australia
Epworth Hospital, Melbourne
Centre for Adult Education Library, Melbourne
Scotch College, Melbourne
Rob Dolan Winery, Melbourne
Imago Mundi – Luciano Benetton Collection, Italy
Private Collections in Australia, NZ, USA and Canada