Background
He grew up in Williams Lake, British Columbia where his father owned and operated a logging truck and exposed Helbig to aviation.
He grew up in Williams Lake, British Columbia where his father owned and operated a logging truck and exposed Helbig to aviation.
2007–2008, The Art of Inkjet Printmaking & Photojournalism & Documentary Photography courses at the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO)
2006–2007, Photoshop (Introduction & Advanced) courses at Algonquin College, Ottawa
1996–1997, Uppsala University, Sweden. preliminary Doctor of Philosophy studies
1995–1996, London School of Economics. Master of Science, Economic History
1991–1995, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Bachelor of Arts, Great Distinction: Political Science, Economics, & International Development.
He is best known for photographic projects entitled: “Beautiful Destruction – Alberta Tar Sands” and “Sunken Villages”. The latter has pictures of the villages flooded during the creation of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Helbig is self-taught as a photographer.
His first photographic forays were through his high school outdoors and camera club
He obtained his pilot"s license in 2000. Before turning to commercial photography and art in 2005, Helbig worked as a civil servant in Victoria, British Columbia and Ottawa, Ontario. He has also worked a bush pilot.
Education 2007–2008, The Art of Inkjet Printmaking & Photojournalism & Documentary Photography courses at the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) 1996–1997, Uppsala University, Sweden. Photography & art Helbig"s style has been described as teetering between documentary and abstract.
Helbig"s approach whatever the subject is not to editorialize but to use his imagery to provide viewers the space, in their own imaginations, to reflect, imagine and think for themselves.
His work is held in the Ontario Government Art Collection. He was elected to the Ontario Society of Artists in 2010. Corridor Gallery, Mississippi Mills & Almonte Library & Chambers: Almonte, Ontario, Canada.
Beautiful Destruction.
2 February – 12 April 2012 John B Aird Gallery, Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ontario Society of Artists New Members Show, December 2011 – January 2012.
Joint exhibition Jordan Art Gallery, Jordan, Ontario. June 2011. “Aerial Abstractions” Canvas Gallery, Toronto.
Inaugural exhibition of “Sunken Villages,” Toronto Contact Photography Festival 2011.
May 2011. Ottawa Art Gallery. March–April 2011. Inaugural “Confessions” exhibition Exposure Gallery, Ottawa.
January–March 2011. “Aerial Abstractions” Ottawa City Hall Art Gallery, July–September 2010.
“Beautiful Destruction – Alberta Tar Sands Aerial Photographs” Juried selection in 2009 for Ottawa’s premier public professional art gallery. The Rivoli, Toronto. May–July 2010. Contact Toronto Photography Festival.
“Beautiful Destruction” galleryDK, Toronto.
March 2010. “Beautiful Destruction” Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, New York, United States of America. 5th biannual International Juried Art Exhibit November 2009 – January 2010. Juried: select work, joint exhibition.
University of Ottawa. Campus. November 2009 – January 2010.
“Beautiful Destruction” Arts and Architecture Gallery, Ottawa.
July 2009. “Beautiful Destruction” Viva Vida Gallery, Pointe-Claire (Montréal) Queen's Counsel, Canada. June – July 2009. Selected works.
Ottawa International Writers’ Festival & Saint Brigids Centre for the Arts & Humanities.
April 2009. “Beautiful Destruction” Red Wall Gallery, School of Photographic Arts Ottawa (SPAO) “Over and Under, Aerial & Underwater Photographs.” joint exhibition with Ric Frazier.
