Artist Spotlight - Denisa Prochazka — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

Denisa Prochazka is an award-winning Canadian artist living in Ottawa, Canada. She is a classically trained figurative sculptor with a passion for portrait sculpture and figurative wall reliefs. Denisa creates her original sculptures in clay and casts her final work in a variety of materials such as bronze, aluminum, aqua-resin, hydro-stone or concrete. Denisa has attracted many special commissions and top awards for her artwork. She has participated in over thirty exhibitions, and has served as a juror panelist for International art competition. Her sculptures reside in private collections in Canada and abroad.

Warrior's Heart Wish, Clay, 2017, 58 x 40 x 23 cm

My artistic journey takes me all the way back to my childhood playtime in my mother's ceramic studio. The familiar texture and feel of clay felt like touching ancient earth, and the creative outlet felt calm and soothing. I was fascinated how a lump of clay could be formed into a little animal or figure right under my fingertips. It was a beautiful dreamy escape into a world of imagination that never ceased to amaze me.

Divine Play-Angel, Aqua-resin & Hydro-stone, 2024, 137 x 102 x 25 cm

I was born in the Czech Republic, and my family escaped the communist regime when I was thirteen. We settled in Canada and I continued my education in Fine Arts and Sculpture. It was a difficult transition time, loosing one's country, the ability to speak one's native language, the unfamiliar feel of a new culture. Art became once again a beautiful escape into a safe and familiar inner world.

Divine Play-detail of angel, Aqua-resin & Hydro-stone, 2024, 137 x 102 x 25 cm

After I graduated from the Ontario College of Art & Design University in Toronto, I was chosen to study in Florence, Italy, for my post-graduate year. It was a life-changing experience to witness the awe-inspiring artwork of Michelangelo, as well as other masters like Leonardo DaVinci, Bernini, Botticelli and so many more. This is when I truly fell in love with the representation of the human form.

Metamorphosis, Clay, 2019, 152 x 107 x 20 cm

The masterful techniques and dynamic compositions had a tremendous influence on me. It also made me realize that none of these masterpieces were created by female artists, simply because women didn't have these opportunities. It became very clear to me that I am incredibly lucky to be born in our time and the type of society, where women have access to education and the field of their preference. After I completed my education, I knew I wanted to be a sculptor for the rest of my life.

Metamorphosis-detail, Clay, 2019, 152 x 107 x 20 cm

Artist Statement

The themes in my work are often inspired by the feminine nature that comes from within, as a woman and a mother. Many of my sculptures depict female subjects created to empower and inspire the feminine balance in this world. The sacred feminine is the essence of life, a symbol of creation, unconditional love, resilience and hope.

Gabriela's Roots, Aqua-resin & Aluminum, 2017, 102 x 102 x 15 cm

My early childhood experience and love of clay led me back to this medium where I felt complete freedom of expression through its tactile movement and flexibility, expressing feminine softness and a high level of control, manifesting my visions into reality.

Namaste Flower, Hydrostone, 2016, 50 x 28 x 23 cm

There is a deeper element to the physical, three-dimensional expression of sculpture, one that transcends the physical realm and speaks to the ethereal essence of the human spirit. Symbolism transcends the physical into the spiritual realm.

Love manifested into being, Clay, 2018, 35 x 25 x 10 cm

I strongly believe in creating meaningful and healing artwork that has the power to transform people's lives. Some of my sculptures were specifically created for donation to Women's Shelters, as well as charity projects to support orphaned children.

Spirit Bound, Clay, 2017, 117 x 81 x 8 cm

I believe that art has the power to transform us, to inspire us, and to bring us closer to the truth of who we are as human beings. My goal as an artist is to bring my art forward to public spaces so that passersby can find peace, beauty, and a healing connection for a moment in time in their life’s journey.

https://www.denisa-sculpture.com

https://www.instagram.com/denisa_pro_sculpture