ARTIST STATEMENT
In this work from the “Faces and Figure Series” I explore the quiet moments that exist between people — the spaces of listening, reflection, and shared presence. I shape each figure from clay and paint it to resemble rusted metal, allowing the material to speak of time, endurance, and vulnerability. Whether standing in pairs or small groups, these forms reflect my interest in conversation, intimacy, and the silent connections that hold us together.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Denise Yaghmourian, born in Bethpage, New York, in 1967, is a Phoenix-based mixed media and installation artist celebrated for her innovative use of materials and techniques. Moving to Arizona at the age of eight, her childhood was shaped by an active life in central Phoenix, including time spent swimming, exploring nature, and engaging in craftwork with her Armenian grandmother. These early experiences heavily influenced her creative inclinations. Yaghmourian’s work incorporates materials such as fiber, textiles, paper, clay, thread, and found objects, reflecting a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary practices. Her art resonates with movements like minimalism and post-minimalism while embracing contemporary conceptual approaches. The meditative and hypnotic qualities of her creations emerge from combining industrial processes with labor-intensive handwork, exemplifying a deep sensitivity to materiality. Denise Yaghmourian earned her degree from Arizona State University and has established herself as a full-time artist. Her work is featured in several notable public collections, including the Tucson Museum of Art, ASU Art Museum (print collection), Banner Desert Samaritan Hospital, the Institute for Mental Health Research, and the University of New Mexico.
© Denise Yaghmourian