Hellen Dunn

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Helen Dunn is a contemporary sculptor and interdisciplinary artist based in Pueblo, Colorado. She trained in the UK, earning a BFA at Wimbledon School of Art and an MFA in sculpture from the Royal College of Art in London, where she studied under notable artists like Helen Chadwick. This classical European training now informs a diverse practice that spans sculpture, large-scale installation, performance, sound and mixed media. Dunn’s work has earned her numerous residencies and awards in the UK, Japan, and the United States, reflecting her reputation in the international art community.

Dunn’s art is rooted in what she calls “spiritual ecology”, reflecting a deep dialogue between creative practice and the natural world. She creates immersive, ritual-like installations and performances that incorporate elemental materials – clay, plants, earth, water, light, sound – alongside found objects and natural pigments. These interdisciplinary works often engage audiences directly and encourage communal reflection. Dunn aims to “create spaces for connection, reflection, and alternate perspectives” through her art, treating each piece as an expression of reverence. Community and collaboration are central to her process: she often frames her installations as offerings meant to benefit the environment and all beings.

Over the years, Dunn has produced several large-scale, collaborative projects and exhibitions. She created 108 Crystal Lotuses: A Prayer for Peace – a touring, interactive installation funded by the UK Arts Council – which was shown at venues in both the U.S. and the UK. She also presented Sound Mandala, a series of immersive installation-performances at the Royal College of Art (later released as a sound album). In recent years she has been an active figure in the Pueblo arts scene: her solo exhibitions at the BloBack Gallery include Reclamation (2024) and Cracked Earth – Rising Blue (2023). Dunn has likewise contributed works to group shows on ecological themes (for example, Extinction List, BloBack 2022) and has presented pieces at regional cultural venues such as the Manitou Art Center, often blending art with environmental advocacy.

Dunn’s current work continues to bridge art with ecological activism. She is now developing EARTHflows – an ongoing series of participatory performances and installations designed to raise awareness of water scarcity and climate-related “solastalgia” (environmental grief). As director of the SkySoul Studio collective, she collaborates with other artists and local communities on eco-conscious events and workshops. Throughout her career she has emphasized art’s power to unite people and inspire change. As she observes, art can “unite people, challenge assumptions, and inspire us to envision new possibilities” – a guiding principle that reflects her belief that transforming individuals through creativity can ultimately help transform society.

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