Helios Heartstar
He/They
Eugene, OR
Helios Heartstar is an emerging artist based out of Eugene, Oregon. He received a BFA in metalsmithing from the University of Oregon (2024) and is a 2025 Windgate-Lamar Fellowship recipient.
“My work highlights and encourages folks who are not versed in queer culture, to explore, challenge, and gift themselves a sense of freedom. Through the jewel-like surface of enamel and enticing colors, combined with intricate floral motifs, the work brings light to the inherent queerness found in nature and in our fellow human beings. I use a synthesis of digital and traditional craft processes to bring light and understanding to an often overlooked population. My work pushes boundaries in a playful way, inviting a sense of openness.”
How does your creative practice reflect your experience of living and making as a BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ maker?
“My practice delves into challenging the perception of queer experiences. It brings light in playful ways and through, color imagery and precious materials to moments that might feel foreign in dominant culture.”
"”Light and Shadow”" Copper, enamel, sterling silver. L 4 ¾” x W 3” x H 1 ½” 2024
"“Ricky”" Copper, enamel, sterling silver. L 4 5/8” x W 4 ⅛” x H ⅞” 2024“Solar Flare” Copper, enamel, sterling silver. L 4 5/8” x W 4 ⅛” x H ⅞” 2024What techniques, stories, or materials have been passed down to you, and how are you reimagining them in the present?
“I use two dimensional imagery which is digitally drawn and combine it with traditional enamel techniques. The content is relevant to our current time creating a dialogue between the viewer and the piece.”
How does your work honor those who came before you while forging new pathways for the future?
Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, research, etc.
“My work is in honor of all of the queer folks that came before me who paved the way to more acceptance. Honestly, making this work was a challenge for me, because I did not feel accepted growing up and had to hide much of my life. This work is also for the future generations, in a small attempt to break down ideas of queerness being unnatural.”“I would like to add that this body of work that I have been building on has been such a large piece of the growth and empowerment of my own self.”“You have to experiment with everything: techniques, materials, formats, typologies, etc., but always knowing the origin so as not to lose quality and above all to have a reference to return to when.”
Photographs Courtesy of the Artist