KIRK Gallery’s 8th edition of the ‘Out in the Open’ mural project is off to a flying start with an epic masterpiece titled ‘Barrier’ from British artist Helen Bur. After ten days of tireless work, Helen Bur added her magnificent mark to the streets of Aalborg, Denmark. ‘Barrier’ now joins 70 stellar ‘Out in the Open’ murals by some of most prolific artists in the urban art world today.
Helen Bur explains her inspiration behind this substantial new work: ”This mural was created on P. Jørgensens Maskinfabrik in Aalborg, an old machines factory that first opened in 1918. The First World War provided a gateway for women into the industrial and engineering workforce as they were offered higher salaries, government-sponsored childcare and specialised training. During this period many women gained economic independence, more personal freedom and a greater sense of their own worth. However, as soon as the war was over, in the interest of men having jobs to return to, women were swiftly removed from these positions through media propaganda, closure of childcare and discrimination. This piece is a homage to those women whose contributions to engineering maybe have been restricted, unwritten or erased due to systematic barriers and obstacles of prejudice.”
Using traditionally influenced techniques in figuration, Helen works with both her own images and collects from the vast pool of ever expanding found imagery to embrace paintings role and ability to provide a contemporary social narrative. Painted figures captured in moments of quiet action, busied in an earnest effort to accomplish something or frozen in the midst of a curious happening, concerned, uncanny. The lack of information or clarity present in the work imitate the the wide spread mood of absurdity in the everyday and in our wider existence. Helen’s work can be seen adorning walls across the globe from Brazil to India to the USA & Europe where she has participated in various notable projects and festivals. She now works with artist collectives FOUR_ collective and Void Projects, coordinating and collaborating on projects worldwide.
Helen Bur: website | instagram
Kirk Gallery: website | instagram
