Helga Henschen was born in Stockholm in 1917. She attended Maj Bring’s and Otte Sköld’s painting schools, and from 1940 to 1945 at the Kungliga Akademien för de fria konsterna (Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts) in Stockholm, studying under teachers such as Isaac Grünewald, Akke Kumlien, Arvid Fougstedt and Sven ‘X-et’ Erixson.
There, she developed a wide range of skills and technical abilities: painting, sculpting, drawing, ceramics, posterwork and book illustration. The citizens of Stockholm and Södertälje are familiar with her work, as they encounter it on a daily basis through the installation of the public commissions of Tensta metro station and the Dafne Fountain, completed in 1975 and 1978 respectively.
Throughout her career, she also published 12 books, including three volumes of autobiography.
Henschen’s exhibitions include: Louis Hahnes Konsthandel (1947, her first solo show); Samlaren (1953); Färg och Form (1960); Eskilstuna Konstmuseum (1964); Galleri Palamedes, Stockholm (1968); Liljewalchs Konsthall (1972); Kulturhuset i Stockholm (1976); Doktor Glas (1983); Olle Olsson Hagalund-huset (1987); Galleri Embla (1993); Vårgård in Saltsjöbaden (1998).
She was awarded several scholarships and prizes, including from the City of Stockholm, Stockholm County Council, Kommunalarbetarna, Arbetarnas Bildningsförbund and the City of Sundbyberg. She was awarded the Ture Nerman Prize in 1991. She made various radio and television appearances throughout her career.
Henschen passed away in 2002.
