Helga Stentzel: Clothesline Creatures

Description

Welcome to Clothesline Creatures—a delightful encounter with animals not from the wild, but from the laundry basket.

In this playful and imaginative exhibition, artist Helga Stentzel brings her beloved Clothesline Animals to Finland, transforming humble laundry into a parade of characterful beasts. A cow with pegs for horns, a sly fox fashioned from a pair of knickers and a hoodie, and a noble horse whose onesie head nods proudly in the wind—each creature is composed entirely of everyday clothing, pegged on a line and brought to life through Helga’s keen eye and sense of storytelling.

These works blur the line between art and domestic life, elevating the ordinary into the extraordinary. With warmth and wit, Clothesline Creatures invites visitors to rediscover the joy of seeing the world afresh—where a hoodie becomes a snout, sleeves stretch into legs, and a bit of sunshine turns the mundane into magic.

Celebrated across the globe for her joyful creations, Helga’s work speaks to the power of imagination, childhood wonder, and the beauty of slowing down to notice the small things.
Come meet the animals hanging out above our heads—you may never look at laundry the same way again.

Helga Stentzel is a Russian-born, London-based visual artist known for her imaginative and heartwarming creations that blur the line between art, play, and everyday life. Working across photography, sculpture, and installation, she transforms ordinary household objects—particularly laundry—into whimsical characters that spark joy and curiosity.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Helga began her creative journey in advertising before forging a distinctive artistic path that blends humour, storytelling, and exceptional craftsmanship. Her acclaimed Clothesline Creatures series—featuring animals made from household laundry—has earned her a devoted global following and widespread recognition.

Helga's work has been exhibited internationally, from China to Germany to the United States, and continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. In 2023, she was named a Hasselblad Heroine, and in 2024, she received the People’s Choice Award at NordArt. Alongside her gallery practice, Helga is committed to public art that is accessible and inclusive, with recent collaborations including a children’s theatre production with Company Portmanteau that brings her clothesline animals to life on stage.

Her Instagram account, followed by over 360,000 people, has become a vibrant platform for sharing new creatures, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and her enduring belief in the magic of the everyday.