Lot 25 | Auction XX

LOT 25

Helen Guek Yee Mei
B. Johor, 1971

Girl With Two Birds in Arms, 2001

Signed and dated “ HELEN G 2001” on middle left                                        Gallery label affixed on reverse

Mixed media on paper

88 x 92 cm

Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur

RM 3,500 – RM 7,000


An artist’s intention is to engage the viewer with his or her masterpiece for the longest possible time. Helen Guek does this, as there is something about her paintings that make you look, look and look for the longest time before finishing with a full stop.

They certainly make a unique statement, what with the unique style and the way it grabs and holds attention. There is a charming expression with which Helen pours onto her canvas, as she draws from her personal and emotional experiences. She has developed a visual language of her own – dubbed “personal symbolism” – and despite the tropical territory that often goes with her paintings; they provide an air of charisma and tranquility to boot. As seen in this piece, a moment of quiet solitude and solemn introspection is presented to the viewer, drawing them in.

Helen Guek Yee Mei is a decoration artist, designer, full-time artist and a teacher. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Art from Victoria College of Arts, The University of Melbourne, Australia. She is a practicing artist and has taken part in several solo and group exhibitions in Malaysia as well as out, representing the country at the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh in 2001. She was awarded the Philip Morris Malaysia Art Award and “The Strover Award for Excellence” from Australia.