ARTIST PROFILE

First born in a small rural community in Alberta, Canada to a Canadian father and Dutch mother. Denique grew up in duality, giving her an interesting perspective that is processed and expressed through her artwork.

While her father grew up on the prairies, helping with the family farm, where they kept pigs, cows, geese and chickens. In the field, they grew wheat, barley, mustard, canola and flax. In the garden, Denique spent many hours with her grandmother gathering the fruit and vegetables that they would later prepare together in the kitchen. Her Canadian grandparents, now passed, inspired Denique to connect to her faith in a higher power, trusting that we are taken care of when we take care of the earth, the animals and our family through dedication and ritual.

In contrast, Denique's mother grew up in Leiden, Holland. An art student, traveller and sign painter. She traveled abroad, practicing her English in Australia before coming to Canada and calling it her home. Through her mother, Denique was encouraged to connect to her inner self expression an individuality, while connecting to her ancestors to find her own place in this world. Dreaming out loud, singing, dancing, drawing, painting, writing, playing music, trying out new fashion styles and hosting parties. Denique was given a lot space for personal expression. 

Between being a respected functional cog in the family dynamic, knowing her place in her environment, and understanding her own individuality and needs amongst the collective, Denique found her very own expression of life. Not by being a copy of what was expected but by accepting her role and place playing in the collective consciousness as balance between the individual and the whole. Through her artwork, Denique likes to express this contrast with bold colours, with dark darks and light lights. Smooth simplicity and busy textures in many different mediums show contrast as well. Little easter eggs of her spiritual beliefs, ideas and inklings are sprinkled in the details, exposing parts of the artists soul journey. She wishes to share her art with the world to show that the contrast in life is what gives the depth and beauty. With the expression of imperfect mirroring, Denique creates visuals in the masculine and feminine energy expressions through varying shapes and colours giving homage to the natural world we live in.