RECENT WORK - Denise Kapke's Portfolio

terracotta ceramic tile of hand and bones

untitled. terracotta tile

I made this tile during a time of taking care of my "mommo", I watched as lung cancer took over her being, as her soul disintegrated. Her personality. Her willingness to live. I watched the most precious, lively human wither away within a few months. - The inspiration comes from both her experience of living in a decaying body, and from mine; holding onto the bones of who my Mommo used to be.

Self Portrait - Oil Paint, Oil Pastels

'therkey' - low fire

'manhandled' - low fire

A depiction of the everyday lived experience of all persons with a uterus. Keep your small, dirty, corrupted hands off my uterus. Off my sister's. Off my mom's. Off my friends'. Off my neighbors'. We are not up for grabs.

'manhandled' - low fire

"Women can control their reproductive health without access to abortions; they can do so by refraining from sexual intercourse", a quote included in the 'Right to Life' bill signed into action by the American Supreme Court. It has never been about abortions. It never will be. These greedy old men want control. They want power. Their dirty, corrupted hands must grab onto anything they can reach, clawing their way to power. - Without control, without power, without holding onto every constituents' lives, what am I? If I cannot simply control these weak, sexually destructive beings called 'women', what will I become? I am nothing without power. I am nothing without control. I am no one without your life in my hands. So I will grab. I will claw. I will take every part of you until you are nothing. Until you feel so powerless that you bow to me. Because, I am power. I am control. And you, you are nothing.

'manhandled' - low fire

Would you let your daughter have the baby of her rapist? Would you allow for your wife to die while holding your dead baby inside of her? Would you prefer your daughter die simply for her unborn child to survive? Would you like your wife to be unable to dictate how many children she has after you fill her with sperm every night to release your pent up energy? ....Didn't think so. Take your disgusting, tiny hands off our bodies, or let every woman you've ever loved wither away at your fault.

'manhandled' - low fire

I will fight your power hungry hand. I will deny it power, I will deny it control. I will not allow myself to be held hostage. I will not allow my sister to be held hostage. My mother. My neighbors. My country. We are not your hostages. We are living, breathing people. People who gave you life, who gave you freedom. I will fight your tiny little hand until there's nothing left to fight.