The Theory of Everything

Bonita Helmer

Thursday, October 22nd, 7-9 PM

During graduate work at Otis College of Art and Design, 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 symbol in art. At that time other influences included a friendship with Dr. Jonas Salk who brought to Helmer, awareness of the relationship between science and art. Helmer studied the origins of the universe via physics and astronomy at UCLA and has continued in her personal research into physics and mystical studies. Helmer taught at Otis College Art and Design 1998-2018. Helmer received her BA in painting, UCLA, Antioch and did graduate work at Otis College Art and Design

Artist Statement

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 the 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. I am fascinated with symbols that connect all people. As human beings we all share basic needs and emotions. I express this through the beauty of exploring that which is not obviously seen but is nonetheless there; the unseen structures of nature, society and human response. I continue to study physics, images from space laced with universal symbols and references to ancient spiritual beliefs.