Denise Tierney

Denise Tierney works across a wide range of media to produce two-dimensional and sculptural artwork.  Her artistic practice is fueled by a curiosity of human behaviour and the experiences of exchange.  Denise focuses on memory, history (personal and collective), ritual, tradition, the transience of life and how experiences shape our identity.  She aims to make the subject matter relevant today through the use of contemporary palettes, compositions or environments.  Denise holds a BA (Visual Art major) and a Diploma in Visual Art from Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC.

My artistic practice is fueled by a curiosity of human behaviour and the experiences of exchange.  I have been focusing on memory, history (personal and collective), ritual, tradition, the transience of life and how experience shapes our identity.  I consider whether our global modern world is still anchored by tradition and culture and I examine the role of nostalgia.  My source materials include discarded photos from thrift stores, vintage shops and family albums.  I base my fabricated story on the era of the photo, the content of the photo or simply the facial expression of the subject.  I look for subjects that resonate with me and I consider why I find the image compelling.  I aim to make the subject matter relevant today through the use of contemporary palettes, compositions or environments.