Helen Altman

Installation Images

Selected Works

Helen Altman
Bluebird (landing), 2019
Wire, manzanita branch
11h x 6w x 14d inches
Helen Altman
Second Thoughts (Mockingbird), 2019
Wire, manzanita branch
9h x 12w x 15d inches
Helen Altman
Handsome Wren, 2019
Wire, manzanita branch
14h x 5w x 15d inches
Helen Altman
Forest/Dam, 2019
Acrylic on slate chalkboard
10 1/2h x 13w x 1d inches
Helen Altman
Lost, 2019
Vintage slate chalkboard, acrylic, cast plaster and eraser
23h x 32w x 2d inches
Helen Altman
Twin Cups, 2019
Cup dispenser, cups, found objects and paint
13h x 5 1/2w x 3 1/2d inches
Helen Altman
Lion Cups, 2018
Vintage cup dispenser, found object, paper cups, paper lettering and paint
13h x 6w x 3d inches

Biography

Helen Altman addresses themes of ephemerality, imperfection, and destruction within poignant images of flora and fauna. A native Alabaman, Altman holds a deep appreciation of the natural world. Although her body of work incorporates a variety of media, including photography, drawing, sculpture, assemblage, and textiles, the artist’s distinct, often humorous voice is consistently present. In her recognized torch-drawing technique, Altman uses a hand-held torch to burn images of animals on white paper. These drawings range from delicately beautiful depictions of waterbirds to more comical portrayals of long-horn steers, goats, and elk.

Altman received her BFA in 1981 and her MA in 1986, both from the University of Alabama, followed by her MFA in 1989, from the University of North Texas. Her work is included in the permanent collections of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont; the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art, the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and the Dallas Museum of Art. She has participated in numerous museum exhibitions throughout her career including solo exhibitions at the Tyler Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; the Glassell School of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and the Grace Museum, Abilene. She currently lives and works in Fort Worth, Texas.

Exhibitions

On-site and Individual Works

Helen Altman

Oasis
Talley Dunn Gallery
June 15 – August 10, 2019

Helen Altman

Home to Roost
Talley Dunn Gallery
May 5 – June 9, 2018

Off-site

Helen Altman

Sticks and Stones
Tyler Museum of Art
March 11 – June 3, 2018

Helen Altman

Cell Series: Helen Altman
Old Jail Art Center
June 2 – August 25, 2018

Helen Altman

Independence 
The MAC
January 12 – February 23, 2019

Videos

Press

Dallas Morning News

“At the MAC’s new Cedars gallery, a group of Texas artists declare their ‘Independence’ “
by Jeremy Hallock
January 12, 2019

Glasstire

“Sticks and Stones: Works by Helen Altman at the Tyler Museum of Art”
by Brandon Zech
May 19, 2018

The Village Voice

“Just in Time for Halloween, Artist Helen Altman Makes Skulls from Spices”
by Robert Sietsema
October 12, 2010