Helen Guek Yee Mei
- Senior Teaching Fellow
Department of Art, Design and Media
SDGs Focus
Biography
Helen Guek Yee Mei's career has progressed in the fields of art and education. She has participated in both solo and group exhibitions in Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Helen represented Malaysia at the Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh in 2001 and 2022; received the Bronze Award for the 3rd Fukuoka International Open Show (Fukuoka), Honorable Mention for the Philip Morris Malaysia Art Awards, and the Strover Award for Excellence from Australia. Bronze Award for the 5th Annual International Portraits 2022 Juried Painting Competition.
Her primary research interests are Identity, Cultural identity, Identity formation, and well-being.
Academic & Professional Qualifications
- MA in Fine Art Studio, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia (2015)
- Bachelor of Fine Art, Victoria College of Arts, The University of Melbourne, Australia (2002)
- Diploma in Fine Art, Malaysian Institute of Art, Malaysia (1995)
- Certificate in Graphic Design, Central Art Academy, Kuala Lumpur (1992)
Research Interests
- Identity formation and well-being
- Microhistory and culture identity
- Identity
Teaching Areas
- Drawing and Painting
- Illustration
- Principles of Design
- Image making in Design
Courses Taught
- Drawing Techniques and Procses
- Illustration
- Design Thinking and Practice
- Principles of Design
Notable Publications
Exhibition Catalogue:
- We Share the Same Moon Year 2023 Artist Calendar Project (2023)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue. Integration & Diversity: Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists (2023)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue. 2022 Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition (2022)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue. Open Show Galeri Shah Alam 2022 (2022)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue Design Decoded Art Exhibition, The 2nd International Conference on Design Industries & Creative Culture. (2021)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue Hands Across the Pacific International Art Exhibition (2020)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue 2020 Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition (2020)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue “The 3rd Fukuoka International Open Show” (2019)
- Art Exhibition Catalogue “The 9th Asian International Art Exhibition” (2018)
Newspaper Publication:
- The Star, "Searching for Answers, Helen Guek's Being & Belonging Exhibit Examines Identity and Culture Roots." (2016)
- Sin Chew Daily, “Tracing Root in Cultural” Helen Guek’s Solo Exhibition- Being & Belonging (2016)
- The Edge, “In Search of Self” Strong Color Combination in Pilgrimage create a Pulsating Energy (2001)
- News Straits Times, “Helen’s Inner Journey” (2001)
Achievements & Accolades
Awards:
- Honourable Mention Award, Portrait 2023 International Juried Art Competition. Teravarna Contemporary Fine Art Gallery (2023)
- Bronze Prize Award, Artist Invitational VI (6) International Juried Visual Arts Awards (2023)
- Bronze Prize Award, Camelback Gallery’s 5th annual Portraits 2022 International Juried Painting Competition Camelback Gallery, Scottsdale, Az, USA (2022)
- Bronze Award, 3rd Fukuoka International Open Show. Fukuoka, Japan (2019)
- "Student Appreciation of Teaching Award" Sunway University (2015)
- The Strover Award for Excellence, Australia (2002)
- Honourable Mention, Philip Morris Malaysia Art Awards (1999)
Selected Exhibition:
- Transmedia 2 Exhibition, a research-creation exhibition (2023)
- Integration & Diversity: Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists. China Cultural Centre K.L.. (2023)
- 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 International Exhibition Bangladesh. (2022)
- Open Show Galeri Shah Alam 2022 (2022)
- The 5th Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition International Exhibition. Qingdao, China (2022)
- Design Decoded Art Exhibition 2021, The 2nd International Conference on Design Industries & Creative Culture. (2021)
- Impression Arts Biennale Online Art Exhibition 2021 (2021)
- "Her power" International Online Art Show (2021)
- Aesthetic Exploration- The 6th International Women Artist Online Art Exhibition (2020)
- Hands Across the Pacific International Art Exhibition (2020)
- Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition, China (2019)
- “The 3rd Fukuoka International Open Show”, Fukuoka International, Japan (2019)
- “The 9th Asian International Art Exhibition 2018” Qingdao, China (2018)
- Pacific Art Exchange Conference and Exhibition, Zhoushan, China (2018)
- Malaysia Women Artist Show: “Pameran 101:Di Mana YOUng?” Balai Seni Negara (Malaysia National Art Gallery) (2017)
- Being and Belonging” Helen Guek Yee Mei Solo Exhibition 2016, Oriental Art & Cultural Association, K.L. (2016)
- 2014 Open Show Malaysia, National Art Gallery, K.L, Malaysia. (2014)
- 2012 ANBD2012 Taiwan exhibition, Ming Chuan University Taiwan (2012)
- International City Brand Design Exhibition, Korea (2012)
- 2011 KSBDA International fall Conference & Exhibition, Korea (2011)
- Arts and Liturgy: a tour exhibition in several places like Brussels of Belgium, few cities in France. (2009)
- Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey, Lilly Oncology International Art Competition and Exhibition, Royal College of Art, London. (2006)
- 3 Young Contemporaries: 1996 – 2006, Valentine Willie Fine Art Gallery, K.L. (2006)
- “Pilgrimage” (Solo Exhibition), Valentine Willie Fine Art Gallery, K.L. Malaysia. (2001)
- Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2001, Bangladesh. (2001)
- “Through Our Eyes” Exhibition, Petronas Gallery, KL, Malaysia. (1999)
- 3 Young Contemporaries, Valentine Willie Fine Art Gallery, K.L. Malaysia. (1999)
- Phillip Morris Malaysia, Art Awards, National Art Gallery, K.L. Malaysia. (1997)
- Shah Alam Exhibition Open Exhibition, Malaysia. (1997)
- The Cornucopia of Malaysian Arts, Metropolitan Gallery of Fine Art, K.L. Malaysia. (1996)
Professional Associations
- Committee Member for Asia Artists Association Malaysia
- Balai Seni Malaysia (National Art Gallery Malaysia)
