Helaine Schneider


Artist’s Statement

My passion for the Female Figure has remained consistent over the years. I strive to transfer the energy of my deepest thoughts and feelings into the clay, and let the clay create the Figure. Although I choose simple poses for some of my Figures, their depth lies in the emotion expressed within the form. There is always more going on beneath the surface, and each Figure is emotionally charged. They are a reflection of my Self. While anatomic accuracy is important to me, fulfillment comes from capturing the emotion I am feeling. It may be in a glance, a hand gesture or the placement of a leg. I feel a piece is successful when I can look at it and experience the same emotion as when I created it. Creating is an extremely personal and therapeutic process for me. It is rooted in the ideas of traditional healing where an emotion is experienced, expressed and then released into the Universe.

Raku is a ceramic firing technique in which clay is withdrawn from the kiln while the glaze is still molten and immersed in combustible material such as newspaper. This produces a reductive atmosphere in which various colors surface. The ability of these delicate and fragile female forms to withstand the rough and drastic process of raku, yet emerge with such beautiful colors is inspirational to me. Raku firing also allows me to connect with the elements: Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Raku is a technique which one must relinquish complete control after orchestrating a set of possibilities


Exhibits with Mostly Glass Gallery
Schneider’s Moments, a Solo Exhibit in Englewood, NJ
Palm Springs International Art Fair,
Palm Springs, CA, March 2002
Palm Springs International Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA, March 2001