​Dennise Gackstetter

I reinterpret my life stories and those of others as a way to express the things I find hidden beneath the surface and in the folds of everyday life. These stories are mixed with ideas and imagery that I glean from poetry, myths, children’s books, figurative paintings, and other narrative sculpture. I am particularly interested in folk figures and handmade dolls. These objects lack pretense, inspire wonder and evoke delight. The figures I make are characters, products of my imagination. They are lively, emotional, and often whimsical-holding secrets. It is up to the viewer to find a connection and explore their own meaning. As the individual interacts with and moves around a piece, he or she finds different viewpoints and discovers new information. Meaning is added and the story grows.