Élisabeth Denis is an internationally recognised artist whose practice spans writing, photography, and films with a focus on relational aesthetics. Her work engages with journalistic and non-fiction and fiction writing, interactive installations, and social and political art, examining the intersections between personal narratives and collective memory. One of Élisabeth's photographic series is currently on display in the public space at Parc de la Coulée-Verte in Saint-Lambert, Canada, as part of a year-long exhibition from 2024-2025. Her writing was published in Local RAG, the Raglan Chronicle, Owl Anthology Dunedin, and Deeper Japan, where she explored themes such as gender dynamics in Kabuki theatre, nostalgia, aging, and intimate photojournalistic exploration of memory. Her work has been further recognized through various residencies, including her two-time selection as an artist in residence at Can Serrat, Spain, the oldest international research and production centers in Catalonia. In 2024, she was invited at the Marina Abramovic Institute's "Cleaning the House" workshop in Greece, having earned a scholarship for this program. Additionally, she has been invited to the ArtHouse Pani residency in Mexico and she participated at the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa in New Zealand. In 2022, she initiated the photojournalistic series "Small Gestures: Exploring the Memories of a Lived Life" in collaboration with residents of the Raglan Rest Home and Hospital, a project that received funding from the Community Fund Raglan Co. and the Waikato Creative Communities. Her dedication to the arts has earned her several awards, including a literary grant from AFÉA (UQAM - Montreal) and recognition from the Canada Council for the Arts. Described by Tesh, co-founder of Raglan Co., as a catalyst for community engagement, Élisabeth is known for her leadership and her ability to mobilize collaborative projects. She has served as an art tutor and founded Guerilla Art Jams, curating multi-disciplinary exhibitions and concerts. Her work has been featured in international outlets such as the New Zealand Herald, Waikato Times, New-Zealand Radio (RNZ Culture 101), Creative Waikato Press, WIFT (Women in Film and Television New Zealand), Beautiful Bizarre (Australia), Raglan Radio, and Issuu New Zealand. With upcoming participations at the ARCUS Ibaraki Research Center in Japan and the Rocaberti Writers Retreat in Spain for 2025, Élisabeth continues to expand her international profile and contribute meaningfully to global art and cross-cultural dialogues.

PRESS

6-hour interactive photoshoot replaces camera shutter with bullet sounds, RNZ, October 2024

Art under fire: Photographer, model to go to extremes in long duration art performance, Waikato Times, October 2024

WATCH: A six-hour performance to get the Perfect Shot, STUFF, October 2024 

Perfect Shot – a powerful commentary on the fashion and media industry, Raglan Radio, October 2024

Elisabeth Denis at Raglan Arts Weekend, Raglan Arts Weekend, September 2024

Interview (and portrait) with Élisabeth Denis by photographer David Dunham, September 2024 

RAW 2024 On Track To Be More Festive Than Ever, Raglan 23, July 2024

Elisabeth Denis to perform at the Hamilton Arts Festival this weekend, Raglan Radio, February 2024

The vibe lifter podcast, Raglan Food Co., November 2023 

Conversation on migration, The Raglan Chronicle, April 2023

Black Rainbow documentary, WIFT (Women in Film and Television New-Zealand), March 2023

Raglan art exhibition portrays everlasting scars words leave on people, New-Zealand Herlald, January 2022

A conceptual exhibition of confessional art, The Chronicle, february 2022

Interactive Art Installation for Matariki Solstice Celebration, Raglan Arts Center, June 2022

Wharf Gallery, Raglan Chronicle, June 2022

Intimate exhibition of unmade beds explores the stories of the nights before,  Waikato Times, Augusst 2021

Geodynamic Slumbers Exhibition, Raglan radio interview, august 2021

Unmade bed inspires intimate exhibition, the chronicle, July 2021

One night only Aug 7 – Geodynamic Slumbers, Raglan Arts Center, July 2021

Melting together the arts with Guerilla Art Jam, The Chronicle, January 2020 

AWARDS

CAST CREDITS

City woman (cast), KLARA AND THE SUN, directed by Taika Waititi, 2024

Woman refugee (cast), KLARA AND THE SUN, directed by Taika Waititi, 2024

RESIDENCY

Can Serrat – Barcelona, Spain 2023

Shyam – Cali, Colombia 2024

Theatricalities by Primordiales – Mexico City, Mexico 2024

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Rocaberti Writers partial scholarship towards An Intellectual Affair – Barcelona, Spain, 2025

Rocaberti Writers partial scholarship towards An Intellectual Affair – Barcelona, Spain, 2024

Marina Abramovic Institution, full scholarship towards Cleaning The House workshop – Karyes, Greece, 2023

Raglan Co. , grant towards Black Rainbow – Raglan, New-Zealand, 2023

Waikato Creative Communities grant towards Community Workshop – New-Zealand, 2023

Raglan Co. , grant towards Small Gestures – Raglan, New-Zealand, 2022

AFEA, literary grant towards 1000 Japanese Cranes  – UQAM university, Montreal, Canada, 2021

PODCASTS AND INTERVIEWS

Photographs taken by Lorenzo Thapliyal, and Thomas Kimmerlin Poupart.