About Helena
Helena Palazzi, was born and raised in Sweden, and embarked on her artistic journey as a young teenager. She channeld her passion for visual storytelling by carrying around a secondhand analog camera everywhere she went. Hours spent in her family's garage- turned into a black & white darkroom- solidified her love for the art form.
In 1993, Helena's path led her to Italy, her father's homeland, where she co-founded a photography and art studio alongside a group of talented young creatives. Fueling her artistic growth, she enrolled at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts Pietro Vanucci in the region of Umbria. It wasn't long before she held her first solo exhibition, marking the beginning of a series of showcases that featured her photography, paintings, and mixed media art.
In 1998, Helena's artistic aspirations drew her to New York City, where she pursued a career in commercial photography. Her seductive and refined images caught the attention of renowned clients and creatives worldwide, propelling her into collaborations with top clients and creatives from around the world.
In 2019, Helena settled in Kingston, NY, and founded her fine art studio, 'Art by Helena Palazzi', with a focus on abstract mixed media painting and Encaustic photography.
Helena is currently showing her work in various solo and group exhibitions around Hudson Valley and New York State.
Artist Statement
Growing up in Sweden, I was surrounded by a culture that emphasized conformity and moderation, values I often resisted growing up. Driven by a desire to forge my own identity, I sought to break away from these expectations and ultimately left Sweden as a young adult. This early tension—between belonging and independence, tradition and self-expression—has remained a compelling force in my work, guiding my artistic journey as I explore mixed media, encaustic photography, and abstract painting.
While my pieces often feature a minimalist palette, they are driven by a desire for bold expression. My process involves layering, removing, and refining, constantly balancing restraint and boldness, chaos and harmony. Through this approach, I aim to communicate the contrasts I’ve lived between cultures: the Swedish values of moderation and continuity alongside the more individualistic, dynamic environment I’ve encountered in other parts of the world. The resulting works express both stability and flux, embodying a balance that feels both rooted and ever-evolving.
At the core of my practice is a fascination with time’s passage and the resilience of memory, with an approach that is both meditative and intuitive. My process is one of discovery, layering and uncovering. Each artwork serves as a reflection of my personal journey and I hope my art invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys between past and present, harmony and change, seeking beauty in the transformation that happens along the way.