Calvary, 46"x72" 1981

Ground Zero, 63"x96" 2001

Three Generations of Lovers, 24"x36" 1976

Back to BFA Artists

About Helena Stockar

Helena Stockar received a degree in industrial design from theSchool of Design in Prague. Seeking political freedom, she emigrated to the US in 1968. Helena  brings to her work a deep knowledge of the history of art, as well as an obsession with people and color. She has exhibited in major cities in the US, Czech Republic and Scotland. Her paintings and drawings are in art collections all around the world, including Johnston & Wales University and Hasbro Childrens Hospital in Providence, RI.

Artist's statement

When I paint, I think mainly about the light, color, and composition. My thoughts, philosophy, and message are not solely about the subject matter, but about perfecting the balance of those elements. The struggle for this perfection was crystallized prior to the creation on any individual work. It comes to me as a direct communication between you, the observer, and me, the painter.

Reviews

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are subject of Helena's large series of canvases. The critic Wilson Wong in April/ May 2002 issue of Gallery & Studio Soho Magazine wrote: "It seems only natural that contemporary artists will attempt to deal with the most traumatic event in recent American history. It is doubtful, however, that many will be as successful in capturing the spirit of heroism that 9/11 brought out in the best and bravest of our citizens as Helena M. Stockar. Stockar is one of our most skillful proponents of what R.B. Kitaj calls "drawing- painting" in that much of her technique is linear. She draws with color in her oils on canvas, giving her work strong graphic thrust. In "Ground Zero", the large canvas that was the centerpiece of her exhibition, flowing rhythmical strokes suggest smoke billowing over clustered groups of rescuers searching through the rubble of the fallen Twin Towers.