A few weeks ago, my mum held her painting exhibition, and I’ve found myself coming back to it in quiet moments since.
I had the chance to help curate it with her, which made the whole experience even more meaningful. Seeing her work come together on those walls. Each piece carrying so much time, patience, and honesty - stayed with me in a way I didn’t expect. I’ve always known how much of herself she puts into her art, but witnessing other people connect with it made me see it differently. It felt like watching something deeply personal become shared, and understood.
What stays with me most is everything behind the work - the years of balancing motherhood with her identity as an artist, the sacrifices she’s made, and the quiet determination it takes to stay true to yourself through all of that. None of this happened overnight, and being part of it made me appreciate that even more.
As an artist myself, it’s also made me reflect on my own work. On what it means to create from a place of joy, without overthinking, without holding back. She’s reminded me that the most meaningful work comes from being true to what you love, even when no one is watching.
𝙎𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙈𝙪𝙢. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪.
PS. I want to thank the Folkestone community for holding and honouring my mum and her work so generously. Our Folkestone Family for looking after me when I was extremely stressed and burnt out. To @strangecargoart for providing a beautiful space for it to unfold, to Cam & Jack @formandmatter.uk for bringing such care, patience, to the installation, and to @gogowhippet & @jacobbray for capturing the spirit of it all so thoughtfully through your lenses. So much love was experienced that weekend and I am so unbelievably grateful for it
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 and she is having a major exhibition at @strangecargoart on April 10th, 11th + 12th. Helen Lee will be exhibiting many incredible paintings from her collection that spans over 50 years. I thought it was a good time to use some of my test recordings that I’ve been playing around with and create some promos for this wonderful exhibition.
Inspired from my coastal walks spent with my mother in 2020. These walks would always begin very argumentatively yet end in a very soulful way.
Many of these conversations were practical mundane ones but they carried a complex dialogue between us that really inspired me and has contributed to being the artist that I am. We discussed our philosophy’s in love, grief, creativity, religion, family and shared lots of personal silly stories together.
As my memory isn’t always my best friend I finally decided to be kind to myself and document her stories and art teachings for my future self to keep a hold of. I have been battling with my fears of the future and with this project I wanted to create an antidote for myself in my solemn moments.
DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS
BY HELEN LEE
AT STRANGE CARGO
APRIL 11 + 12 / 11PM-5PM
(PRIVATE VIEW)
APRIL 10 / 6PM- 9PM
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 and she is having a major exhibition at @strangecargoart on April 10th, 11th + 12th. Helen Lee will be exhibiting many incredible paintings from her collection that spans over 50 years. I thought it was a good time to use some of my test recordings that I’ve been playing around with and create some promos for this wonderful exhibition.
Inspired from my coastal walks spent with my mother in 2020. These walks would always begin very argumentatively yet end in a very soulful way.
Many of these conversations were practical mundane ones but they carried a complex dialogue between us that really inspired me and has contributed to the to being the artist that I am. We discussed our philosophy’s in love, grief, creativity, religion, family and shared lots of personal silly stories together.
As my memory isn’t always my best friend I finally decided to be kind to myself and document her stories and art teachings for my future self to keep a hold of. I have been battling with my fears of the future and with this project I wanted to create an antidote for myself in my solemn moments.
DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS
BY HELEN LEE
AT STRANGE CARGO
APRIL 11 + 12 / 11PM-5PM
(PRIVATE VIEW)
APRIL 10 / 6PM- 9PM
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 and she is having a major exhibition at @strangecargoart on April 10th, 11th + 12th. Helen Lee will be exhibiting many incredible paintings from her collection that spans over 50 years. I thought it was a good time to use some of my test recordings that I’ve been playing around with and create some promos for this wonderful exhibition.
Inspired from my coastal walks spent with my mother in 2020. These walks would always begin very argumentatively yet end in a very soulful way.
Many of these conversations were practical mundane ones but they carried a complex dialogue between us that really inspired me and has contributed to being the artist that I am. We discussed our philosophy’s in love, grief, creativity, religion, family and shared lots of personal silly stories together.
As my memory isn’t always my best friend I finally decided to be kind to myself and document her stories and art teachings for my future self to keep a hold of. I have been battling with my fears of the future and with this project I wanted to create an antidote for myself in my solemn moments.
DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS
BY HELEN LEE
AT STRANGE CARGO
APRIL 11 + 12 / 11PM-5PM
(PRIVATE VIEW)
APRIL 10 / 6PM- 9PM
107 MOUTHS
.
LIPSTICK ON NATUREL PAPER
NOV 2025
The relationship I have to red lipstick has become one of expression and during times of hardship, a form of war paint.
Red lipstick can mean many things, including power, confidence, femininity, and rebellion. Throughout history, it has been associated with both high status and defiance. It has symbolized glamour and affluence for figures like Cleopatra, while also being used by suffragettes in the early 20th century as a sign of empowerment and rebellion against male authority.
My mother once told me before a very important moment in my career “..to take a deep breath, put on my lipstick and to remember to have fun.” This is something I continue to follow in all aspects of life.
𝗧𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁
