Meet The Neighbours - Helen Pailing

Helen Pailing is an artist-maker who creates sculptures and installations, mostly out of found or salvaged materials.

Early in her career she studied contemporary embroidery and stitching, wrapping and weaving are recurring features in her work.

In 2019 she graduated with a PhD from National Glass Centre (UoS) where she looked to define 'recrafting waste'.

Currently she’s working on a large-scale commission for Middlesbrough train station, using 1000's of pre-loved Meccano pieces #mostcreativestation.

This summer she’ll be showing work at the International Festival of Glass thanks to a North Shields Cultural Quarter Bursary.

Helen says: “I relocated to the North East after a residency in rural Northumberland 10 years ago.

“I’ve always loved coming down to Fish Quay as I’m drawn to fishing paraphernalia - the ropes, nets, baskets and floats.

“I'm so pleased to have my first studio in North Shields in the new Hastie Studios. It’s exciting to be around so many creative people within the building and in the neighbourhood.”