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Helen Teede at T.E.A.R.S

by artweb

Helen Teede in her Studio at T.E.A.R.S (Image: Helen Teede IG)

Zimbabwean contemporary artist Helen Teede recently concluded an 18-month residency in Kent, United Kingdom, as a recipient of the prestigious Tracey Emin Artist Residency. Created by Dame Tracey Emin—one of Britain’s most prominent contemporary artists—this residency placed Teede among a select group of ten artists chosen to deeply explore their practice within a dedicated and supportive environment.


Tracey Emin, a founding member of the Young British Artists (YBA), is known for her provocative and deeply personal work, such as Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995. Emin’s career, which has consistently challenged the boundaries of contemporary art, resonates in the work of the residency participants, including Teede, who share a similar desire to confront uncomfortable and often complex themes.


Teede's work, showcased in the final exhibition of the residency program titled T.E.A.R.S The Final Show (which ran from 30 June to 1 September 2024), reveals her commitment to tackling intricate subjects such as decoloniality, ecology, and the concept of "staying with the trouble." In her own words, this approach involves learning to live with the difficult realities of our time and finding kinship with the "monstrous shadows" that permeate today’s world. Her art invites viewers to sit with discomfort, acknowledging the troubling forces shaping our world and seeking understanding through visual contemplation.


Represented by First Floor Gallery, Teede’s career has been marked by her participation in notable exhibitions and art fairs. Her presence at the Zeitz MOCAA exhibition Five Bhobh – Painting at the End of an Era in 2018, along with her participation in the FNB Joburg Art Fair and Investec Cape Town Art Fair in previous years, situates her as a significant voice in the conversation on contemporary art from Zimbabwe. Her recent move to the UK, however, has added new layers to her work, bringing forth the fraught historical ties between Zimbabwe and the UK, while pushing her exploration of belonging and accountability.


Stay tuned for an exclusive interview the Helen Teede on artweb.



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