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Helen Oh
Seashells On Bertoia Chair, Rich Green Backdrop, Oil on Panel, Framed

2026

$4,400
£3,334.65
€3,995.48
CA$6,270.20
A$6,438.50
CHF 3,662.71
MX$84,562.85
NOK 41,625.58
SEK 43,810.46
DKK 29,861.79

About the Item

In this contemplative still life, Helen Oh transforms an ordinary interior moment into a study of quiet tension and sculptural form. A pale conch shell rests heavily on a vivid red cushion atop a Bertoia chair, its organic curves set against the rigid geometry of the metal wire frame. The contrast between the shell’s soft, chalky surface and the chair’s industrial grid creates a subtle dialogue between nature and design. A sand dollar and cockle sit nearby, their muted yellow tones echoing the shell’s warmth while punctuating the composition with small notes of brightness. The surrounding field of deep, velvety green envelops the scene, heightening the red seat’s intensity and lending the painting a calm, meditative atmosphere. Oh’s restrained palette and careful modeling give the objects a tactile presence. Light glides across surfaces with quiet precision, elevating the simple arrangement into a poised and intimate meditation on balance, texture, and modern domestic space. Helen Oh Seashells on Bertoia Chair oil on panel 18h x 24w in 19h x 25w x 2d in (framed) 45.72h x 60.96w cm HOH040 Helen Oh, b. 1962, Seoul, Korea For several years I have been painting seashells, both contemporary and fossilized specimens, some of which are millions of years old. That their designs are virtually unchanged from ancient times to the present points to the perfection of their forms and their incredible adaptability. These sea creatures live a mysterious existence, and after death, provide a vital service to humankind by transforming millions of their discarded shells to calcium carbonate, a key ingredient of concrete. Through these imageries, I hope to connect my audience to nature and issues of marine ecology. To enhance the design of these intricate forms, I painted from direct observation of them, set up before my easel. Helen Oh is a visual artist. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, she studied painting at the School of Visual Arts, the National Academy of Design, and the Art Students League. She holds a BFA in Art and Design from Columbia College Chicago and an MFA in Communication Design from Harrington College of Design. Helen has taught studio art courses at New York Academy of Art and the Linos School of Art in Umbria, Italy. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts. Courses she has taught include Painting Materials and Methods (oil and water media), History of Painting Techniques, Human Anatomy, Perspective, Drawing, 2D and 3D Design, and Color Theory and Application. The artist has received two Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grants. Her work has been exhibited at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Terra Museum of American Art, the National Academy Museum, and the Butler Institute of American Art. Helen's work is in the collections of Columbia University and the Americas Society in Manhattan. Her artworks have been featured in New American Paintings # 29, Art Scene Chicago 2000, House Beautiful, American Artist magazine, and International Artist magazine.
  • Creator:
    Helen Oh (1962)
  • Creation Year:
    2026
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: HOH0401stDibs: LU554317628562

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