Bonita Helmer
Artist
My space explorations actually started when I was a child and I was seriously studying ballet. I was well aware when I was leaping and turning through space that there was something there. I thought I could sense moving molecules. Since that time the relationship between objects and space has fascinated me. However, the actual and concrete study of physics and space started after I became an artist. I studied theoretical physics at UCLA to try to understand that which I sensed intuitively and then apply it to my work. I had also been simultaneously studying several mystical philosophies including Buddhism and Kabbalah. Between spiritual studies and physics research, I began to see the connections in space and physics exploration as well. I began to voraciously study quantum physics and look at images from the Hubble telescope and now the Webb Telescope. The desire to understand that which is not obviously seen and the desire to discover the missing link is a driving force in mystics and artists as well as scientists. Einstein’s Theory of Everything was a desire to find the missing link that connects all.
Bonita Helmer received her BFA (Painting) from UCLA and Antioch University and did graduate work at Otis College of Art and Design. During graduate work at Otis, Helmer worked with Mitsumi Kanemitsu who became a strong influence in the use of abstraction in painting. Helmer also met and studied with Francoise Gilot at University of Southern California/Idyllwild campus. Gilot introduced Helmer to the use of universal symbols in art. Helmer was also inspired by a friendship with Dr. Jonas Salk who brought her an awareness of the relationship between science and art. Helmer studied the origins of the universe, physics, and astronomy at UCLA and continues her personal research into physics and mystical studies to this day. Helmer’s work has been exhibited internationally including exhibitions at the Jerusalem Biennial; Museum Sonderjylland, Denmark; Kunstraum F200 galerie, Philip Johnston Bl. Berlin; MOCA, Beijing; a solo show at L’Espace Bateau Lavoir, L’Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris; an official adjunct show as part of the MOCA Los Angeles, Whack retrospective of Women in Art; International Space Conference in Washington, DC.; Newport Harbor Art Museum (Orange County Museum of Art); Gallery Q, Tokyo; French Consulate/Alliance Francaise, Los Angeles; UCLA Dortort Center for the Arts, HUC Museum, NYU campus; Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA). Helmer has also done paintings as set design for performance pieces, one co-produced by CalArts and the other in part by an NEA grant. In 2014 Helmer was invited to be on the board of the Exploration Institute which brings together astronauts, physicists, underwater researchers and more. She is the only “visual explorer” in the group of 35 participants. Helmer taught at Otis College Art and Design from 1998-2019. She lives and works in Los Angeles.
