Helen Eager
Helen Eager has sustained a solo exhibition program for over three decades with her drawings, paintings and prints. Over the years, the shift from domestic interiors to pure abstraction has been a consistent evolution, her love of colour and light a constant thread.
Helen Eager studied at the South Australian School of Art in the 1970s. A Masters degree at COFA in the late eighties focused on large-scale works on paper, which took her drawing to a new level. A residency at the Greene St Studio in New York in 1988 was pivotal as Eager's work evolved towards pure abstraction.
Over the past decade, Eager has explored compositions using chains of triangles on fields of white. In 2012, Eager was commissioned to create a wall painting for the Circular Quay entrance of the new Museum of Contemporary Art building. Eager's work is included in all of Australia's major public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia and National Gallery of Victoria. In 2022 Helen Eager's projection "New York Sunday" illuminated the facade of the MCA during Vivid, Sydney.
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NERAM acquires Helen EagerApril 2024
The New England Art Museum has acquired two important works by Helen Eager. These will be included in Eager's survey exhibition at NERAM later this year.
Australian AbstractFrom June 2023
Liz Coats and Helen Eager are both featured in this new publication from Thames and Hudson.
Australian Abstraction, by Amber Cresswell Bell delves into why these painters have pursued abstraction, sometimes coming out of a figurative narrative.
The booklaunch coincides with an exhibition at Michael Reid Art Bar in Sydney
Vivid Sydney 202227 May - 18 June 2022
New York Sunday is a work commissioned by Vivid Sydney for the facade of the MCA.
Matisse Aliveto April 3 2022
Helen Eager's vibrant painting VIF is featured in Matisse Alive, an exhibition drawn from the AGNSW collection of artists who explore colour and energy in their work.
Helen Eager article in Artist ProfileMay edition
Sebastian Goldspink has written an insightful profile of Helen Eager in Artist Profile magazine, edition 51.
Helen Eager article in Art Collector magazineMay edition
Insightful article 'Keeping Composure' is in the current edition, also available online at this
link https://artcollector.net.au/helen-eager-keeping-composure/
Helen Eager Leeuwin Estate21 December 2019
Helen Eager's painting Canal Street is the latest release from Leeuwin Estate Art Series 2015 cabernet sauvingon.
Also due for release soon is Tony Coleing and Chloe Watson's collaborative work on the 2016 Cabernet.
Helen Eager at Caloundra Regional GalleryFrom September 19 to November 10
Kyoto Hanga International Print Exhibition showcases contemporary printmaking from Australian and Japanese artists. Coinciding with an extensive programme of workshops and a printmaking symposium.
Trying to find comfort in an uncomfortable chairJuly 26 - October 6, 2019
Helen Eager is included in this exhibition drawn from the Cruthers Collection of Women's Art, curated by Agatha Gothe-Snape. At PICA in Perth.
Dobell Drawing Prize 2019March 28 - May 25 2019
The Dobell Drawing Prize is now a biennial exhibition and award hosted by the National Art School Gallery in Sydney.
Helen Eager and Angus Nivison have been selected as finalists.
CharmedUntil December 9, 2018
Helen Eager's painting Grand Street 2015 is included in Wollongong Art Gallery's current exhibition of recent acquisitions.
Today, Tomorrow, YesterdayUntil March 2020
Precipice 2006, a 14 minute video work by Helen Eager is included in the current exhibition of the MCA Australia collection.
Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing3 - 29 March , 2018
Helen Eager and Kylie Stillman selected as finalists in the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, at the Adelaide Perry Gallery, PLC in Croydon, Sydney.
PatternationDecember 2015
Helen Eager features in 'Patternation', an exhibition exploring the conceptual nature of pattern and its affinity with art, science, language, music and movement. At Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre, 12 December 2015 - 7 February 2016.
Art Almanac coverSeptember 2015
Helen Eager's painting 'Coney Island' graces the cover of the September issue of Art Almanac. Inside, Annie Sebel's interview with the artist sheds light on her new body of work.
Artist ProfileSeptember 2015
Lucy Stranger reviews Helen Eager 'Intersections' for Artist Profile's website:
http://www.artistprofile.com.au/helen-eager/
Helen Eager at S.H. Ervin GalleryOctober 2014
Look out for Helen Eager's vibrant painting at ‘Five Decades of Watters', a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Watters Gallery at the S.H. Ervin Gallery until 2 November.
Helen Eager at the MCAAugust 2014
Helen Eager's wall painting 'Tango' has been reinstalled at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It's as striking as ever and great to see it in this new context!
Helen Eager on the wallsMarch 2014
Two new wall paintings by Helen Eager, titled ‘Starlight’ and ‘Moonlight’, are now installed at the entrances to Utopia Art Sydney.
On the other side of town, in the entrance hall of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Gallery’s latest Helen Eager acquisition ‘VIF’ greets visitors as part of the exhibition Forcefields.
Find Helen Eagers 'Tango' reinvented on the MCA stores shopping bags!August 2013
Helen Eager at the new MCAfebruary 2012
Helen Eager is about to add her signature abstract style to the iconic vista of Sydney's Circular Quay! In March 2012 a large-scale wall drawing by Eager will be unveiled at the harbour entrance of the newly renovated MCA buliding.
Don't miss our survey exhibition of Eager's oeuvre from 24 March – 28 April.