Helga Portanier was born in 1980 in St Julians, Malta. During her youth she studied art with various tutors including Mrs Marie-Rose Grima, Ms Isabelle Borg and Mr Caesar Attard. From 1999-2002 she pursued her artistic apprenticeship with Pawlu Grech, focusing mainly on drawing and composition. During this period, Helga also studied History of Art and Theatre Studies at the University of Malta, graduating in 2002.

After completing her studies, Helga travelled to London to read for a Masters Degree in Chinese and Japanese art at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Her research focused on Chinese literati, ink painting and cross–cultural encounters between Chinese/Japanese and European art. In London, Helga also took classes in watercolour and nude drawing.

In May 2005, Helga had her first personal exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Malta. This exhibition consisted of 24 paintings in ink, watercolour and gouache made from 2003 – 2005. A criticism of this exhibition can be seen under ‘Critical Reviews’. While working on these paintings, Helga also worked on a series of miniature ink paintings, published in Michael Zammit’s poetry book ‘Ghana ’l Hena’.

Alongside painting, Helga has been teaching art in Malta to adults and children. From 2003-2006, she gave courses on History of the Theatre and Asian theatre within the Theatre Studies Program, University of Malta. Helga has delivered a number of lectures on art and theatre at Pawlu Grech’s studio. In Summer 2005, she was invited by the Chinese Cultural Centre in Malta to deliver a lecture ‘Understanding Chinese Painting’.

In 2007 she won an Honourable Mention by the International Artists Competition and will be exhibiting her work alongside other artists in Berlin.

Helga is now residing and painting in Brussels.