Una Helle

I am an artist and researcher pursuing a practice-based Phd as part of the ERC-funded project ‘Think Deep: Creative Approaches to the Underground.’ My project ‘Spirits of Place: thinking through subterranean subjectivities’ (working title) looks to the underground in folkloric narratives in Norway and England through the lenses of animism, ecofeminism and the more-than-human. Through sensory approaches, deep listening techniques, speculative reimaginings and artistic collaboration, the project will navigate the slippery subjectivities of humans, non-humans and the genius loci. 

In addition to a written thesis, the outcome of the research will conclude with a number of creative responses, realised as exhibitions, sound works and an artistic publication. 

As an artist I have previously worked with a range of mediums and formats, including video essays, textile, performance rituals, sound installations and Live Action Role Play, resulting in exhibitions and events across Europe. I also publish a serial arts and music publication called ‘Becoming the Forest’, on the intersection between ecology and black metal. 

As a curator I have curated the touring exhibition ‘Waking the Witch: Old Ways, New Rites’ and am the editor of ‘Monica Sjöö: artist, activist, writer, mother, warrior’ and the forthcoming monograph ‘Hand of the Sky, Land of the Sea’ about artist duo Fourthland. For a full cv see my website.