Helen Petts is a film-maker, photographer and painter who often works in collaboration with free improvising musicians, but who also makes very solitary work in the landscape. Her work explores rhythm, texture, sound and chance events and often involves long, intense, close-up images.

She studied film at Westminster University then, after a career as a mainstream film and TV director, she studied Fine Art at Goldsmith’s College and now makes films as an artist for galleries and festivals. Recent work includes “Throw Them Up and Let Them Sing” where she followed in the footsteps of Kurt Schwitters through Norway and the Lake District. Commissioned by the Cultural Olympiad and the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle it was also screened at Tate Britain. Helen lives in London and North Yorkshire and works internationally.

She is currently making a film about saxophonist Lol Coxhill.

image - still from “Sea Shanties” . Video. 17 minutes. 2010.

Made for “TAPS - Improvisations with Paul Burwell”

Matt’s Gallery at Dilston Grove, London.

Helen Petts acknowledges the receipt of an Arts Admin Fellowship in the development of this work.