Helaina Sharpley is a wirework artist based in West Yorkshire, working from her studio at The West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. She creates intricate, hand-formed pieces that sit between drawing and sculpture, translating delicate line work into expressive three-dimensional forms.
Her early work was inspired by the rituals and etiquette of tea drinking in bygone eras, particularly the elegance of the Edwardian period. The decorative qualities of historic graphics, fine china, and architectural detail informed a series of refined pen-and-ink drawings, which naturally evolved into her distinctive wire compositions.
More recently, commissioned projects have expanded her subject matter to include rural landscapes and British flora, allowing her to further develop and push the possibilities of her wireworking practice. Each piece is individually crafted, resulting in unique works that combine precision with a sense of movement and lightness.
Sharpley graduated from Herefordshire College of Art and Design in 2006 with a BA (Hons) in Design Crafts, and has since developed an award-winning practice rooted in both tradition and contemporary exploration.
