Hey there, I'm Helena Chywski.

I’m a Brazilian-American visual artist whose work is deeply inspired by my experience of synesthesia, a rare neurological condition where the senses intertwine. I experience both auditory-visual and auditory-tactile synesthesia, which allows me to see and feel sound in a tangible way. Music, voices, and everyday sounds appear to me as vivid shapes, colors, patterns, and textures that move through my mind and body with emotional intensity. Sometimes it’s beautiful and immersive, other times, when multiple sound sources compete, it can be overwhelming.

Since 2021, I’ve been channeling these multi-sensory experiences into paintings, sculpture, immersive installations, and digital work. Every piece begins with how the sound feels. If a voice feels warm and woody, I might paint on wood. If a song carries a rough, grainy texture, I’ll weave in physical materials that allow the viewer to feel that texture too. I'm always searching for the perfect medium to match the sound.

In 2025, I brought this process to the stage, performing a live painting alongside a full orchestra during Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition at Montclair State University. Translating my synesthetic experience in real time as the music unfolded marked a powerful new chapter in my practice — merging visual art, music, and performance into one shared moment.

Lately, I’ve been expanding my creative toolkit to include 3D printing, projection mapping, and sculpting, which add new dimensions to my work and allow me to explore sound in space and form. My vision is to create immersive multimedia experiences that blur the boundaries between visual art and other forms of expression — murals that move, installations that respond to sound, and collaborations that make people feel seen.

Ultimately, my goal is to use art as a way to connect. To build understanding, spark emotion, and share what it means to experience the world through a different lens.