Conversations with Helena Safari

Today we’d like to introduce you to Helena Safari.

Hi Helena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. At six years old, I was already making things with my hands. Over the years, my practice evolved into large-scale hand embroidery, a medium that allows me to merge painting and acrylic on canvas.
During the COVID pandemic, my mother passed away. In the days that followed, I found myself staring at her portrait, searching for a way to stay connected to her. The idea came to me almost instinctively: to embroider her image. Stitch by stitch, grief became a process of making. Embroidery transformed from technique into ritual, each thread carrying memory, love, and the time that mourning demands.

That first embroidered portrait became a turning point. It marked the beginning of a body of work exploring remembrance, transformation, and the quiet persistence of human connection through labor and thread.

My work has been exhibited in more than 45 exhibitions, including four solo exhibitions, across the United States, Europe, and Asia. It is held in private collections worldwide and has received multiple international awards.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I started embroiding my first piece, I had no idea how to do embroidery.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most proud of having developed and pioneered my own signature embroidery technique, creating a distinctive visual language that is uniquely recognizable as my own. By pushing the traditional boundaries of hand embroidery, I have transformed a centuries-old craft into large-scale contemporary artworks that combine technical mastery, emotion, and innovation.
My work is defined by the connection between patience, precision, and storytelling. Each piece is created entirely by hand, with thousands of individual stitches forming intricate images that carry depth, texture, and meaning.
I am honored that my artworks have found their way into notable private collections, including those of internationally recognized figures such as Barack Obama or Giggs, UK iconic rapper, I have done cover for Grammy consideration last year and another one this year …
What sets my work apart is the combination of a unique hand embroidery technique and monumental scale. I have created a form of embroidery that goes beyond decoration—it becomes a contemporary art practice where every stitch represents time, dedication, and human connection.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe the next 5–10 years will bring a greater appreciation for handmade and textile art. As technology and AI continue to grow, people will increasingly value works that carry human touch, time, and authenticity. I see embroidery moving beyond traditional craft categories and gaining even stronger recognition as a powerful contemporary art medium, with more presence in major exhibitions and collections worldwide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbysafari.me
• Instagram: @art.bysafari