As a fine artist, Denise works in all medias for the media choice and form are intrinsic to each artwork. The conceptual installations represent visual metaphors that exhibit Biblical truths and personal spiritual testimonies. Denise’s desire is to create conversations and encouragement. These artworks include assemblage, found objects as visual metaphors, ceramic installations, photography, mixed media and video.
The “Portraits of Faith” series are a collective body of work that record the memorials and testimonies found on grave markers throughout the United States of America and extensive work in Great Britain, where more ancient cultures can be recorded. Direct molds are made on the site and remain authentic to the memorial, in both word and image. These works include ceramic sculptures, installations, works on paper, photography, emboss images, rubbings and letterpress. By bring to life testimonies of the past and presenting them in contemporary art forms, these “Portraits of faith” create discourse about our futures.
“Turn towards”
Ceramic sculpture
23” x 15”
2007
Denise’s professional history includes working as a professional graphic designer and artist since 1979 as D. Kufus Design. She has taught art and graphic design for 23 years. As the founding program chair and professor of Graphic Design for 12 years at Chapman University, 6 years at CSULB, and as visiting professor at other universities. As professor she instructed in all medias, constantly was creating new exhibits, founding new programs, lecture series, events and receiving grants and awards to continue her artwork too. Her most recent honor is that two of her graduate students published a book based on her teaching methods. Denise remains as a guest lecturer and juror for other institutions.
Denise founded SEEDS Fine Art Exhibits with Cindi Rhodes. Together as curators of the SEEDS, this grass roots ministry has become a leading non-profit fine arts service that provides traveling conceptual exhibits for artist worldwide. SEEDS offers exhibits free of charge to all and provides exhibits to universities, conferences, churches and communities. Most recently SEEDS was the featured exhibit for the 2007 Cornerstone Festival, Chicago area, and featured for the Nebraska State Synod at Midland Lutheran College. Weyhrich & Rhodes recently completed their two year curatorial project of selecting and acquiring three permanent art collections for Concordia University, California. Having spent her life founding new ministries and programs, providing support systems for artists is her greatest joy.
Denise Kufus Weyhrich
This ceramic tablet is all about the sunflower. The sunflower symbol means a heart that follows God. Thus, “Turn towards” is a reminder and command to me to give up all and follow. For decades I designed symbols and studied symbols as a graphic design professor. The power of the image and the deeper meaning of the cultural symbolism never leaves me. As a follower of Christ I find great joy in recording the testimonies of others that create a portrait of faith.
