Helmi Juvoven (1903-1985) was an independent Seattle, Washington artist. I encountered her work at the Museum of Northwest Art, part of the permanent collection of regional artists. Helmi is associated with the Northwest School.
“Helmi made a large number of prints, which she sold from a booth at the Pike Place Market. From the sale of these works, the artist was able to pay her rent for a small shack in Edmonds. Poverty made it difficult for the artist to maintain her residence, which was overrun by cats and surrounded by complaining neighbors.
In 1959, while working at the public market, she was picked up and committed against her will to Northern State Hospital in Sedro Wooley. Later, she was transferred to the Oakhurst Infirmary in Elma and lived there until her death. In an interview, Helmi refused to talk about her Pike Place Market days because of its association with her incarceration” (Whatcom Museum).
Helmi continued to produce art while residing at two mental hospitals in Washington, where she lived for the last 26 years of her life.
Helmi Juvonen, 1946-1947; Winter Dance Time, (Spegpegud); Lithograph on paper, 16 x 23 in.
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