“Fiction enables us to grasp reality and at the same time that which is veiled by reality.” Marcel Broodthaers
My painting practice is a form of visual autofiction. It blends details of my own life with stories, characters and events borrowed from literature, art history, folklore and popular culture. These elements are sometimes incorporated as text but more often as part of an image. They embody certain emotions and express an “individual mythology” that lies behind everyday experience.
After a Foundation Course at St Albans College of Art, I studied Art History at Cambridge University. I worked as a Script Editor and Producer in TV drama for fifteen years before returning to painting. I completed a Fine Art MA at University of Hertfordshire in 2017. From 2019 - 2025 I was a Visiting Lecturer in Fine Art at UH.
email: Helena.McGrath@btinternet.com
instagram: @helenammcgrath
HELENA MCGRATH CV
PROFILE
A visual artist who is critically engaged with art history, theory and practice. Formerly a media professional with fifteen years of experience script editing and producing TV drama.
EXHIBITIONS
“From Under the Bed”, Archiv Massiv, Spinnerei, Leipzig 12-26th July 2025
Guildford House Open, Guildford House Gallery, November 2024 – March 2025
“Telling”, solo exhibition and bursary award, Broadway Gallery Letchworth April – June 2024
Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize (online) June 2023
Letchworth Open Exhibition, Broadway Gallery, September 2022
Correspondence 01, Broadway Gallery Letchworth and Phoenix Gallery Exeter, August 2021
Figurative Art Now, Mall Galleries (online) July – September 2021
The Story of the Next Generation, Ruth Borchard Collection (online), May – October 2021
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize Exhibition, (tour), October 2020 - July 2021
Letchworth Open Exhibition, Broadway Gallery, (online), January 2021
Hertfordshire Open Exhibition, St Albans Gallery, (online), April 2020
IO Festival, Kingsbury Barn, St Albans, July 2019
“Aidinmaa (Motherland)”, Viewpoint Gallery, University of Herts, February 2019
“Helena McGrath Paintings”, Pavilion Gallery, Chenies Manor, April 2018
“Not At Home”, Framework Gallery, University of Herts, 2017
“Shimmer”, joint exhibition with Abi Spendlove, Framework Gallery University of Herts, 2016
Art Gemini Prize, Rebecca Hossack Gallery, 2013
Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize, Kings Place Gallery. (Self Portrait purchased by The Ruth Borchard Foundation), 2011
CAREER HISTORY
2025: Artist Residency, Leipzig International Art Programme, Leipzig, Germany
2019 – 2025: Visiting Lecturer, University of Herts, Fine Art MA
2018 – 2019: Artist Residency, AA2A, University of Herts.
2018: Workshop Leader, Responding to Art with Words, UH Arts, University of Herts.
2006 – 2018: Self-employed Artist, part-time student University of Herts.
1999 – 2005: Producer: Anna Karenina (Company), Producer, Development Producer, Series Producer: Eastenders (BBC), Development Producer: Drama Series (BBC)
1990 – 1998: Script Editor: Medics (Granada TV), Eastenders (BBC), This Life (World)
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
2015 – 2017 Fine Art MA University of Hertfordshire. Distinction.
2006 – 2013 University of Hertfordshire. Life Painting courses taught by Ian Poulton
2001 Slade School of Fine Art. Summer School taught by Simon Chambers
1987 – 1990 Clare College, Cambridge University. BA Hons English and Art History specialising in Italian Renaissance Painting and Sculpture 2:1
1986 St Albans College of Art. Art Foundation Course
1979 – 1985 St Clement Danes School, Chorleywood. 10 “O” levels, 3 “A” Levels