Helen Silverlock 2007

I work principally in film, video, photography and site specific installation. I am based in London and I have a studio at Acme’s Galleria complex in Peckham. I am also a partner in Video Art Bankside, a production company working with artists, film makers and not-for-profit organisations.

Since graduating from Goldsmiths in Fine Art in 1995 my work practice has developed into a number of conceptual strands, which has resulted in three main series of work: Love, Occupied Space and Fridge. Conceptually all three series deal with notions of presence/absence, inside/outside space, architecture and the female body. The female body and its significance in the spaces we inhabit is thematic throughout my work.

“83 rooms 1987-2007” is part of Occupied Space, the 6th in the series. It has been a work in progress for 20 years, and is a documentation of every room I have slept in. I see it as a process of mark making, referencing a journey in space and time.

83 rooms 1987-2007 (Occupied Space VI)

sleep is very important
I need to know what is outside the window
it lingers in my head as I try to sleep
sleep has been difficult
there is one final resting place where I sleep peacefully
without that room I would have died inside.

Educational Background

MA English (Society Gender & Culture), Birkbeck College, UCL 1996-1998
BA Hons. Fine Art (Critical Theory & Studio Practice), Goldsmith’s College 1992-1995
Foundation in Art & Design, City Polytechnic 1991-1992
BTEC Diploma in Art & Design, Tower Hamlets College 1989-1991
Diploma in Mathematics, Wall Hall College 1983-1985
Diploma in Photography, Wall Hall College 1978-1979
B.Ed, Putteridgebury College ( English ) 1973-1976

Exhibitions and Commissions

2004 “OCCUPIED SPACE V”
Installation of beach hut with video projection of a “perfect” wave, and hidden video camera placing the viewer in the image of the wave, Horsebridge Arts Centre Whitstable Kent

2003 “DIRECT+CURRENT”
Installation, multiple video and slide projections, inaugural show at Substation Project Space, Margate Kent

“FRIDGE V”
Video loop shot on Dreamland rollercoaster in domestic fridge, Margate Rocks Thanet Contemporary Arts Festival, Margate

2002 “LOVE X”
Single screen video, Whitstable Biennale

“OCCUPIED SPACE IV”
Video installation, projected images shot from digital camera flown from kite, Margate Rocks Thanet Contemporary Arts Festival, Margate

2001 “OCCUPIED SPACE III”
Video/slide installation, Canterbury Arts Festival

“DEMOLITION”
Installation, tin bath, 16mm film, photographic prints, Johhny’s Arthouse, Whitstable

2000 “FRIDGE IV”
Installation, 4 domestic fridges, surveillance camera and monitor, video loop, Levi’s Jeans, beer bottles, Johnny’s Arthouse, Whitstable

“OCCUPIED SPACE II”
Installation, two video projections shot from kite with original soundtrack, Canterbury Arts Festival Artists Open Houses