Helen Foster pursued artistic training as a mature age student at night classes in 1977 as my time was limited being a working mother. Her work background was as a draftswoman for 21 years, 11 years as a technician in the Department of Art and Design, Kalgoorlie College, 5 years as a Human Resources Officer for Curtin University, Kalgoorlie and 2.5 years Client Services Officer, Curtin University, Margaret River.

Helen Foster gained a wealth of knowledge working as an Art Technician, Kalgoorlie College for 6 years, she then became exhibition co-ordinator part time and studied part-time. 32 years living in Kalgoorlie gave her a great understanding of the country and it became apparent through creative exploration that she could capture her feelings and visions of the radiant landscape by throwing simple forms reflecting the colours of the land from its range of subtle hues through to the harsh browns, reds and ochres.

Helen made a quantum leap in 2001 and moved to Margaret River another beautiful part of Western Australia, a softer, gentler lifestyle and a major turning point in her life. It has given her the opportunity to exhibit more widely, become a member of a large group of artisans and to extend her knowledge exploring all the possibilities clay presents for expression.

“My aim is to create forms of beauty with visual impact and to establish an individuality of style.” Helen Foster
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
1986-89     Associate Diploma in Visual Arts (Ceramics Major) W.A.C.A.E.

1981-85     Kalgoorlie College Diploma Art Studies

1977-78     Drawing/Painting Studies Eastern Goldfields Technical College
PART-TIME TEACHING
1984-94     Kalgoorlie College in Painting, Drawing, Textiles

1995-96     Curtin University, Kalgoorlie – Ceramics
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010      Minnawarra Art Award, Armadale

2009      MR Artisans Biennial Exhibition, Mandurah

Townsville Ceramic Awards, Perk Tucker Gallery

CAAWA Annual Selective Exhibition, Sth Freo

Bunbury Biennale, Bunbury Gallery & Vasse Felix

Forbidden Fruit, Love, Lust & Liquor, Willyabrup

2008      CAAWA’s Western Survey, Central TAFE

2007      City Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize

Fluid on The Brain, Willyabrup Dreaming

Southern Exposure, Central TAFE Art Gallery

Bunbury Biennale, Bunbury Art Gallery

Artisans Exposed, Garden Art Studio, Yallingup

Mycologia, Mundaring Truffle Exhibition

CAAWA Shoebox Exhibition, Gorepani Gallery

Style & Sensibility, Art Geo Gallery, Busselton

It’s All in the Mind, Busselton Pottery Club

2006      Earthworks, Miners Hall of Fame Kalgoorlie

Mid Life Crisis, Willyabrup Dreaming Gallery

Earthly Eruptions, Busselton Pottery

2005      Spiralling between the Capes, Vasse Felix

SASR Auxillary, Campbell Barracks

2004/5/6    CAAWA Members Exhibition, Gallows Gallery

2003      Remembering, Moores Building, Fremantle

2000/02    City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize

1999      Bounty, Fremantle Arts Centre

1998      Coolgardie Ambience Art Prize Exhibition

Alice Craft Award, Crafts Council NT

1997      Broken Ground, Moores Building, Fremantle

1996      5th Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne

Gold Conference, Goldfields Arts Centre

1995      Landscape as a Metaphor, Claremont School of Art

WA Week Exhibition, Crafts Council-Forrest Chase

Edith Cowan University Regional Colleges Exhibition Craft West

New Collectables Gallery, Fremantle

1994      Wesfarmers Regional Craft Award

1993      Portfolio Exhibition, Parliament House, Perth

1988      Golden Mile Museum Art Auction

Town of Kalgoorlie Art Prize

Bi-Centennial Exhibition, Kalgoorlie

1986      Expose Yourself to Pots
PUBLICATIONS
2006      The Journal of Australian Ceramics

1995       Craftwest, Spring, Jewellery Student

Craftwest Autumn 1995, Academe in Kalgoorlie

1993      Pottery in Australia, Western Australian Potters
COLLECTIONS
2009      Dr Stefano Carboni, Director Western Australian Art Gallery – personal collection

2007      Bunbury Biennale Permanent Collection

Curtin University, Kalgoorlie Collection

2000      Lady Brodie-Hall

City Kalgoorlie-Boulder Acquisition

1994      City of Wanneroo Acquisition

1989      Kalgoorlie College Acquisition

1988      Town of Kalgoorlie Acquisition

Private Collections in France, Victoria, Alice Springs and Western Australia
AWARDS
2010      Stocklands Commission Award, Minnawarra Art Exhibit.

2007      City Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Highly Commended

2000      Mining Section, Chamber of Minerals & Energy of WA Award, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize

1998      First Prize – Ceramics Section, Coolgardie Ambience

1996      First Prize – Ceramics Section, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize Exhibition

1994      Joint Prize Ceramics, Coolgardie Today Art Prize

1988      Town of Kalgoorlie Acquisitive Prize

1982      Ian Taylor Award

1978      Jordan & Jacksons Drawing Award
MEMBERSHIPS
Ceramics Arts Association of Western Australia
Margaret River Artisans, Cape to Cape
Life Member Golden Mile Art Group
Busselton Pottery
COORDINATED/CURATED EXHIBITIONS
1994-2000  June – City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize

1993      June – Woodline Exhibition, Kalgoorlie

1993      May – Harry Jackson Art Award, Kalgoorlie College

1993      March – Portfolio Exhibition, Parliament House, Perth

1993      April – Portfolio Exhibition, Perth Mint

1992      December – Launched Daughters of Midas, PICA

1992      September – Back to Bayley’s Centennial Exhib, Coolgardie

1992      August – Images of a Centenary, Coolgardie Exhibition

1992      July – Launched Daughters of Midas, Flanagans Bar

1992      February – Aqua Images, Photographic Exhibition

1991      May – Gareth Morse

VIEW HELEN FOSTER POTTERY