Artist Biography
Denise Brook is a figurative artist based in San Diego, California. A first-generation Latvian American, her work reflects the experience of growing up in 1970s California with parents still grappling with the lasting effects of displacement. From an early age, she developed a keen ability to observe and translate her experiences into visual narratives.
Identifying as a contemporary surrealist, Brook interweaves layered imagery and everyday objects to create thought-provoking compositions with underlying messages.
Artist Statement
I bend the real world with color, everyday objects, and human figures—usually women. I call myself a gentle surrealist, as surrealism is subtly woven into my work through color and the twisting of perspective. There is often a concept or message embedded in my pieces, some more hidden than others, with many addressing current events. Rather than explicitly stating my concept, I prefer to let the viewer create their own narrative from the story unfolding before them. If asked, I’ll share my interpretation.
My work is figurative, incorporating real-world elements in a semi-dismantled way.
I work in acrylic on canvas; after laying down the main colors, I incorporate multiple layers of glaze to achieve the softness I’m after.
