Helene Blain Brandt (1936 - 2013)
“I want to reduce the boundary between art and spectator. I want the viewer to walk around and even get inside some of the sculptures, and to understand them both physically and emotionally.” Personal Statement
Helene began her career with woodcarving and silk screening then mastered the medium of welded steel. She manipulated steel like a painter uses a brush to create sculpture that begs the public to interact with it. Her art breaks with look but don’t touch.
Her sculpture has many roots. It suggests Surrealism, Constructivism and the architectural sculptures of Alice Aycock. In its prehistoric and skeletal quality, however, as well as in its craft and humor, Brandt's work feels closest to the sculpture of Nancy Graves. Brandt's work also has a touch of Leonardo, whose presence in this age of inventive Postmodernist profusion seems to be everywhere.” Michael Brenson (New York Times, April 6, 1984)