It forms part of her practice-as-research doctoral project, investigating how we perceive and experience the virtual through artistic practice as an “inbetween” space that bridges the physical and immaterial to create a visceral effect. 

Following her solo exhibition ‘Virtual Matter [Ambient]’ at the Naughton Gallery, Helena has sought to further investigate how colour and sound can be used as a combined medium to blur the boundaries between the digital and physical, altering our relationship to site.  

The foundation of ‘On Wanting’ is the nursery rhyme A Farmer Wants a Wife, recorded from one of her child’s toys. Helena uses this rhyme because of the issues it raises, one being that everyone seems to immediately get what they want, continual instant gratification. In jest, she has time-stretched it multiple times, doing so created drones which have been used as the basis of this work. Other layers of audio included are soundtracks from around the home. Each sample reflects personal joyful moments when wanting is neutralized by the magnificent banality of the everyday. Such as rain, birds and Rice Krispies. The final audio sample is pencil on paper. Helena utilised the sound of mark making whilst listening to the drones to dictate the speed, location and duration of each mark. Primarily following the sound rather than the visual.

'On Wanting' has been created to be experienced in your own home via a laptop, TV screen or smartphone. The larger the screen and darker the space, the greater impact the colour will have on your physical environment. It is currently part of the Centre for Contemporary Art, Derry (CCA) public programme event and can be experienced here: 

https://www.ccadld.org/public-programme/on-wanting