Helen Dryden is a contemporary visual artist, curator, and illustrator based in Leeds, UK. Born in 1977 in Middlesbrough, she has developed a distinctive artistic voice characterized by vibrant, surreal, and emotionally expressive works that blend the abstract with the figurative.

 

Dryden pursued her artistic education at Cleveland College of Art and Design (1996–1997), followed by a BA (Hons) in Graphic Arts and Design at Leeds Metropolitan University (1997–2000). She later completed an MA in Curation Practices at Leeds Arts University between 2018 and 2020. 

 

Primarily a painter, Dryden's work is known for its expressive and instinctual approach, often combining imaginary elements with real-life observations to create absurd and vibrant canvases. Her paintings are typically constructed with multiple layers of acrylic paint, sometimes incorporating spray paint or collage. She enjoys experimenting with different methods of beginning a painting, embracing the unpredictability of the outcome. Her work often explores themes of pop culture, science fiction, nature, environmental concerns, and the ambiguity of perception.

 

Dryden has exhibited her work extensively across the UK. Notable exhibitions include "Render Me Chaotic" at Eye Room in Leeds, where she presented paintings on canvas and wooden cutouts that explore both familiar and imagined worlds.  Another significant exhibition, "We're From Earth!" at Left Bank Leeds, featured imaginary landscapes and explorers, inviting viewers to invent their own