Helle Rask Crawford: mythical creatures and Neoromanticism

It's impressive how a single story can inspire such diversity through different mediums! Visual artists from around the world are taking part in WHISTLE project, in an attempt to present a multi-sensory experience never attempted before in the Greek visual art scene. And that's because we do not think of visual art as an experience that when viewed fades away, but as an excuse, a triggering event, a reason to produce an artistic conversation and a literal dialogue with everyone interested. This is the way we feel visual art should work.

In this short article we meet sculptor, Helle Rask Crowford, from Denmark.

Why did you decide to participate in Whistle Project?

Being a neoromantic with a penchant for magical realism and Edgar Allen Poe, I felt this project was very much within my sphere of interest. Also I enjoy working in an international forum.

What intrigued you?

The Gothic feel of the open call, the chance to see a film project from the inside, the chance to work with people from different backgrounds. The mythical creature as Pan or Dionysos or something more dangerous, has been a subject of mine before.

What was your workflow?

I did a lot of thinking, while having to finish a few other projects. Then started directly sculpting in wax, and cloth at the end woring against the clock to finish...

What was your artistic style, any influences?

My style has a basis in realism. I did a lot of life studies. I feel compelled to storytelling. There is a story to each of my sculptures. The inspiration coming from literture, philosophy, politics or stories from everyday life. There is often a noir twist to my work.

Do you believe in superstitions? 

Not really. A background in natural sciences…But superstitions make for wonderful stories...

What do you want people to see in your works?

Energy, movement, fear, ominousness.

Can you make a comment on the idea of collective storytelling? 

It is a great idea to do a intercultural project. A story of a beautiful girl and a malevolent character would tap into common myths like those of Dracula or Beauty and the Beast or Zeus and his female conquests.

Why should people support this project?

Hopefully it will be interesting enough to garner wide support.

Why go to the exhibition?

An art exhibition with a common theme interpreted by artists from different cultures should be very interesting.

Tell us a few words about the work you submitted to Whistle. How it is related to the story?

The sculpture is a quite litteral interpretation of the theme. Death and the maiden, evil and innocence. The sculpture is in bronze, marble and gold. Very concrete materials for an ephemeral dream.

All the works created for WHISTLE project by Helle, will be available to the public during the transmedia exhibition. The above photos refer to the artist's general work.

Helle Rask Crawford works in bronze. Taught by Keld Moseholm. She has had numerous exhibitions in galleries and Museums in Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Italy and the US. In 2017 she received the Ottillie Helen McLaren Wallace prize at the Royal Scottish Academy of Art, Edinburgh, UK as well as first prize for sculptors in the Exhibition Peace in Stuttgart, Germany. Even though Helle often refers to classic myths in her sculptures, she is not a classical sculptor in the neoclassical sense of Bertel Thorvaldsen. More justly Helle Crawford could be defined as an anti-classical artist. Her sculptures are expressive, dynamic, sensual and humorous. They are full of movement, imagination and fabulating stories.

Find Helle Rask Crawford on WEBSITE, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK