Photographed By Thomas Kimmerlin Poupart

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 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

AWARDS

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

 Photographs taken by by akira senokuchi, Lorenzo Thapliyal, and Tomek Friedrich