Denise Shaw

Denise Shaw is a New York City-based mixed-media artist whose work interrogates the intersection of global social narratives, human rights, and the philosophical concept of Anima Mundi—the “Soul of the World.” Operating from her studio in Tribeca,and Connecticut, Shaw constructs tactile, layered environments that function as both a visual record of our collective history and a call to action.

Her practice is a deliberate act of “fanning the flames” of consciousness. Utilizing a diverse array of materials—including acrylic, watercolor, photo transfers, metal leaf, pumice, and sand—Shaw builds surfaces that mirror the complexity of the human condition. Her work seeks to create an “authentic habitat” for memory and resistance, ensuring that our collective history remains vibrant, curious, and alive.

Shaw’s work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across museums, galleries, and cultural centers in the United States and Europe. Notable venues include the National Museum of American Art (Washington, D.C.), the Reece Museum (Tennessee), The Copelouzos Family Museum (Athens, Greece), The Woodruff Arts Center of the Atlanta College of Art (Georgia), Metropolitan Dade Community College (Miami), the Vasilunas Gallery (Lithuania), and the Human Rights Biennial (Seattle and California). In New York City, her work has been showcased at the Museum of Arts and Design, the Swiss Institute, the Park Avenue Armory, LaGuardia College and the Viridian Gallery.

Beyond the gallery, Shaw is committed to public art as a revolutionary act of connection. Her public contributions include CowParade, In Celebration of Rescue Dogs, and the Save the Tigers project at the United Nations, as well as designing a flag for the Iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center. In 2003, she received the prestigious honor of designing and painting the White House Easter Egg commemorating the 9/11 attacks.

Shaw holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and a postgraduate certificate in Film from New York University. Her work is held in numerous private, public, and corporate collections, including those of Rockefeller Center, ESG Insignia, GHI Health Insurance, Phillip Morris, New Moves Dance Company, Cruise Norway, and Pfizer, Inc.

You can find more about her artwork here: www.deniseshawpaintings.com.

Artist Statement

“My creative practice is rooted in Plato’s Anima Mundi, the “Soul of the World.” Dividing my time between New York City and extensive travel, I maintain a daily ritual of observation and communion with humanity. This ongoing dialogue shapes my work, which explores the intersection of human rights, the psyche, ancient philosophy, and Jungian thought.

I use my art as a bridge to metaphysical and cosmic realms, employing a visual language of irony and whimsy to express deep compassion for the global condition. My images are built through a deliberate, material-heavy process: I combine acrylic paint, watercolor, photo transfers, and collage with tactile elements such as pumice stone, metal leaf, and sand. Whether working on wood panels, paper, or linen and canvas, I aim to create surfaces that mirror the complexity of the themes I address, ultimately seeking to foster awareness and connection through the power of the image.”

New Brunswick Art Salon 2026 – Watercolor and Mixed Media “Liquid Layers” Exhibition

Education

School of Visual Arts – New York, NY; BFA
New York University (NYU) – New York, NY; Postgraduate certificate in Film

Exhibitions

• 2026
  • “HERstory” The Viridian Gallery, New York City “The Dressing Room.” Curator: Vernita Nemec
  • “The Palestinian Holocaust: Art Against Erasure” Mousa Art Initiative through Gallery 874, St. Louis, MO. 3 Paintings: “The Watermelon and the Sabra”, “Like a Lamp That Has Run Out of Oil” and “Blood Resort”. Curator: Nabil Mousa.
  • “Uncollage–Seamless Unison” The Mildred I. Washington Art Gallery, Dutchess Community College, Pougkeepsie, NY. “Targeting”. Curator:Todd Bartel2025 “The Art of Water” The Red Bluff, Gallery, California, “Message in the Bottle”. Juror’s pick for artistic excellence.
• 2025
  • “The Art of Water” The Red Bluff, Gallery
• 2024
  • The International FL3TCH3R Exhibition, socially and politically engaged art. The Reece Museum. 2 Paintings: “Sportswashing”, “The Watermelon and The Sabra (Awarded the “Protection of Human Rights Award At Wartime).
• 2023
  • The International FL3TCH3R Exhibition, socially and politically engaged art. The Reece Museum. 3 Paintings: “Ghost Paper” (Awarded DeAngelis/Jackson Cultural Arts Award), “Last Option” and “Goodnight”.
  • Human Rights Biennial. The College Of The Sequoias, Cos Gallery, Visalia, California. Juror: Richard Lubben. “Ghost Paper”.
  • “Food To Go”, 5 feet X 8 feet, Flag Design Exhibition, The Rink at Rockefeller Center, New York City.
  • Covart Project: The Mask As A Stand Alone Visual Medium. The Capelouzos Family Museum, Athens, Greece. Permanent Collection.
• 2022
  • CAB Gallery, Wilmington, NC. PROTEST SIGNS Exhibition. “I Run For Arbery”. February 24 – April 1, 2022.
  • When Doves Fly” featured in “Art for Peace”, a Hard Cover Table Book, published by International Cultural Management. It is a platform expressing Peace, Freedom and Equality through art. Acrylic, gold metal leaf and photo transfer on linen, 36′′ X 48”, 2022.
  • 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC.”Pop Art” Exhibition. Oct 7th to November 30th, 2022. “Last Option” Acrylic on wood panel, 36” X 36”.
  • The National Association of Women Artists. One Art Space, New York City. “The Printed Dress” Acrylic and sand on linen, 22” X 28”, 2022.
  • The International FL3TCH3R Exhibition, socially and politically engaged art. The Reece Museum. “Targeting” Acrylic and photo transfer on linen, 60” X 30”. Award: Second Place.
• 2021
  • National Association of Women Artists, One Art Space, TriBeCa, New York City. Tao Te Ching series, #5, collage on linen.
  • The InternationFL3TCH3R Exhibition, socially and politically engaged art. The Reece Museum. Four works of art:”The Coopers”, “Home Street”, Church Street” and “American Cartel”. Two awards: Award of Merit and the NAPPE Award.
  • Exhibition. Human Rights. Untitled, mixed media on paper 22’ X 30”, 2018. Online exhibition.
  • Migration, online venue. “Exodus”, mixed media on canvas, 30” X 56”, 2018.
• 2020
  • POLITICAL DISCORD Exhibition, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach California. “Life is Just As Certain”.
  • The Fletcher Exhibition, Social & Politically Engaged Art. The Reece Museum, Johnson City, TN. Juror: Carlton Wilkinson. Two paintings: “The Transmigrations of Souls” (Winner of the Robert J. Alfonso Merit award for Excellence) and “I Run For Arbery”.
  • 35 x 35 (cm) Project, “Hubris” Mixed media with collage on canvas. Permanent collection. Copelouzos Family Art Museum, Athens, Greece.
  • Human Rights Biennial. The College Of The Sequoias, Visalia, California. Juror: Richard Lubben. “Child Interrupted” Acrylic and pastel with collage on canvas, 22” x 30”.
• 2019
  • The Fletcher Exhibition, social & politically engaged art. Juror: Sue Coe. Three paintings: “Tiny Dancer”, Surveillance” and “Ghosts At The Border”. Winner of Merit award for Excellence.
  • Lord and Andra Gallery, New Rochelle, New York. “Vitarka”, acrylic with collage on canvas, 36′′ X 36′′.
  • N.A.W.A Annual Members’ Exhibition.”Sea Of Sunset” acrylic and metal gold leaf on canvas, 26′′ X 20′′. 2018. One Art Space, TriBeCa, New York City.
• 2018
  • The Fletcher Exhibition, social & politically engaged art, the Reece Museum, TN.”Exodus”, 2017,mixed media on canvas.
  • Human Rights BIENNIAL. La Crises Migratoire, Acrylic on wood panel, 32” X 36” and Charleston, Acrylic on wood panel, 24” X 30” Curator: Richard Lubben. Lane Community College, Eugene, Oregon.
• 2017
  • N.A.W.A Annual Members’ Exhibition.”Re-imagining the Four Freedoms: Freedom from Fear, Watercolor on paper, 12′′ X 16′′, a Human Rights Commentary. Sylvia Wald and Po Kim Gallery. New York City.
• 2016
  • The Fletcher Exhibition, social & politically engaged art, Juror: Dr. Eric Avery, the Reece Museum, TN.”Charleston”, 2015, acrylic on wood panel.
  • National Association of Woman Artists “In-VISIBLE”. Juror: John Carson, Head of School of Art, Carnegie Mellon University. Lawrence Gallery, Point Park University. “Companion of The Fire” 2015, acrylic on wood panel, 18′′ X 18′′.
  • “Positive/Negative”. Juror: Al Miner, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA. Slocumb Galleries, ETSU. “Charleston” 2015, acrylic on wood panel, 24′′ X 30′′.
  • 17th Annual WAH Salon Membership Show, Brooklyn, NY. Juror: Yuko Nil. “Plat du Jour: Dear Leader Special” 2014, watercolor on paper, 22′′ X 30′′.
  • “Inhabitants: Creatures of Imagined Worlds” Watercolor, “A Bestiary: A is for Anagoth”, 16” X 14”. Slocumb Galleries, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City TN
• 2015
  • 35X35 (cm) Project, “Temple of the Unknown” Mixed media with collage on canvas.
  • Permanent collection. Copelouzos Family Art Museum, Greece
  • Annual Members’ Exhibition.”Plat du Jour: Dear Leader Special”, 22”X30”, Watercolor, a Human Rights Commentary. Sylvia Wald and Po Kim Gallery. New York City.
  • 10th Annual Human Rights Exhibition,”In The Test Kitchen,” acrylic on wood panel. Curator Richard Ludden, The Cooper Center For Communication Arts at South Texas College, McAllen, Texas.
• 2014
  • The Fletcher Exhibition, social & politically engaged art, Juror Elliott Earls, the Reece Museum, TN. Mixed media works on paper.
  • WOMEN in the ARTS, Fourth Edition, “Black-nosed Buddha”, mixed media on unprimed canvas. St. Stephens Cultural Center Foundation, Rome, Italy.
  • SLOW Art, “Incense Burner”, mixed media on canvas. Curator Elizabeth Genovesi. ARTROM Gallery, Rome, Italy.
  • 9th Annual Human Rights Exhibition,”We Are All Trayvon” mixed media on paper. Curator Richard Ludden, The Cooper Center For Communication Arts at South Texas College, McAllen, Texas.
• 2013
  • 8th Annual Human Rights Exhibition, mixed media on paper, curator Richard Ludden, Cooper Center For Communication Arts at South Texas College, Brownsville, Texas.
  • 8th Annual Human Rights Exhibition, mixed media on paper, curator Richard Ludden,Galeria 409, Brownsville, Texas.2012, 12′′X12′′ acrylic on canvas
• 2012
  • Masters Pelavin, 12′′X12′′ acrylic on canvas
  • “Koan, Intuitive Considerations”, Artist Presentation Space, Rome, Italy. Four mixed media paintings, 60′′ X 30′′, including artist talk.
• 2011
  • The National Associations of Women Artists new members exhibition. The N.A.W.A. Gallery, NYC.
• 2010
  • “Taking the High Road”, acrylic on canvas, 12′′ X 12′′. Cheryl Pelavin Gallery, New York City.
  • Pearson Art Gallery, White Plains New York. Watercolors.
• 2009
  • Asian Inspiration. ArtRom Gallery, Rome, Italy. Three abstract, symbolic paintings.
  • “Art in A Box” Cheryl Pelavin Gallery, New York City. Acrylic painting.
• 2008
  • “Art in A Box” Two Watercolors. Cheryl Pelavin Gallery, New York City.
• 2007
  • “Color and Light” Four limited edition prints. Ryan Chelsea-Clinton Center. New York City. Curator: Frank J. Boros
• 2006
  • 7th International Juried Exhibition. First Frontier Collage Society
• 2005
  • 2nd International Collage Exhibition Vilnius. Organizer: Circle “Bokartas”. Curator: Kestutis Vasiliunas. Gallery “Kaire Desine”, Vilnius, Lithuania. Two collages.
• 2003
  • “The Art of the Plate” Museum of Arts & Design, New York City. Corporate Sponsor: Dixie/Georgia-Pacific
  • White House Easter Egg Artist Exhibition. The White House, Washington, DC. Organized by The American Egg Board.
• 2002
  • “My Copilot” part of “DOGNY” public art commission created by the American Kennel Club. Painted sculpture. Corporate sponsor: Insignia. Auctioned at Sotheby’s.
• 2000
  • “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” Sculpture featured on CNN. Part of a public art exhibition: CowParade New York City. Site: Columbus Circle. CowParade Holding Corporation. Corporate Sponsor: Jane Forbes Clark
• 1997
  • Group “Book” Project. Swiss Institute, New York City
• 1995
  • “Time Capsule”. Group exhibition. Curator: Robin Kahn. Paula Cooper Gallery. New York City.
• 1993
  • “A Grand Tour” Group exhibition. Guest Curator: Ingrid Schaffner. Funded in part, by Pro Helvetica, the Arts Council of Switzerland. Swiss Institute, New York City.
• 1991
  • “Choice”. Group exhibition. Sponsored by the Women’s Caucus of the Arts, A.I.R Gallery, New York City.
  • “The Poems of Stanley Kunitz” Collaborative calligraphy, June Kelly Gallery, New York City.
• 1989
  • “The Goddess: Art Exhibition” Juried group show. New York Open Center, New York City.
  • “American Herstory”. Traveling juried group exhibition. Curator: Dr. Eleanor Tufts. Mary Vinson Memorial Library, Milledgeville, Georgia.
  • “American Herstory”. Traveling juried group exhibition. Curator: Dr. Eleanor Tufts. Metropolitan Dade Community College, Miami Florida.
• 1988
  • “American Herstory: Women and the Constitution”. Curator: Dr. Eleanor Tufts. The Atlanta College of Art, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Georgia.
• 1986
  • “The Lady in the Harbor”. Group exhibition, celebrating the 100 year-old birthday of the Statue of Liberty. Curator: Renee Phillips. Sponsored by Manhattan Arts, New York City.
• 1985
  • “Shelter 85” National Juried Exhibition. Curator: Harry Rand, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC.
• 1984
  • International Art Competition for the 1984 Olympics. Certificate of Excellence in Watercolor. Juror: Dr. William G. Otton, Director Laguna Beach Museum of Art. Brand Library Art Galleries, Los Angeles, California.

Top Solo Exhibitions

2005 Recent paintings. Park Avenue Armory, New York City. Sponsored by House & Garden Magazine.
2002 “Symbols of Transformations” LaGuardia College/CUNY, New York City.
2001 Paintings. Bikram Yoga New York City. Director: Jennifer Lobo
2000 “A Night in Africa”. Ronald MacDonald House, New York City. Installation of painted sculptural masks, animals, design motifs. Client: ING Asset Management.
1998 Paintings and drawings. Yoga Connection Tribeca Gallery, New York City. Director: Marilyn Barnett.

Top Collections

Rockefeller Center, New York City
Capelouzos Family Art Museum, Athens, Greece.
Bikram Yoga Studios, New York City
ESG/Insignia, New York City
Defense Department, Washington, DC
GHI Health Insurance, New York City
Jane Forbes Clark, Cooperstown, New York
Jack Lichtenstein & Associates, New York City
Phillip Morris
New Moves Dance Company, New York City
Cruise Norway, New York City
Pfizer Inc., New York City
Soho Health Arts, New York City
Telford Veterinary Hospital, Telford, PA
The White House, Washington DC

Top Publications

• 2026
  • “Uncollage–Seamless Unison” The Mildred I. Washington Art Gallery, Dutchess Community College, Pougkeepsie, NY. “Targeting”. Curator:Todd Bartel2025 catalogue
• 2024
  • The International FL3TCH3R Exhibition, socially and politically engaged art. The Reece Museum. 2 Paintings: “Sportswashing”, “The Watermelon and The Sabra (Awarded the “Protection of Human Rights Award At Wartime).
• 2023
  • The Flag Project Catalogue, Rockefeller Center, Permanent Collection.
  • Catalog,The International FL3TCH3R Exhibition, socially and politically engaged art. The Reece Museum, featuring 3 paintings by Denise Shaw.
  • Covart Project Book: The Mask As A Stand Alone Visual Medium. Published by The Capelouzos Family Museum, Athens, Greece. Permanent Collection.
  • NAWA Now, Spring 2023, Issue # 7. The Magazine of The National Association of Women Artists, featuring work by Denise Shaw.
  • Catalog, Human Rights Biennial. The College Of The Sequoias, Cos Gallery, Visalia, California.
  • Art for Peace, a Hard Cover Table Book, published by International Cultural Management. “When Doves Fly”.
• 2022
  • The International Fl3tch3r Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art, the Reece Museum. Juror: Wesam Mazhar Haddad. “Targeting”. 10th Anniversary Award.
• 2021
  • USA 35 X 35 Art Project Book Published in Athens, Greece, Capelouzos Museum. “Hubris”
  • The International Fl3tch3r Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art, the Reece Museum. Four works of art: ”The Coopers”, “Home Street”, Church Street” and “American Cartel”. Two awards: Award of Merit and the NAPPE Award.
  • National Association of Women Artists, 132nd Annual Exhibition catalogue. “Tao Te Ching #5”.
• 2020
  • The International Fl3tch3r Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art, the Reece Museum, “I Run For Arbery” and “Transmigrations of Souls”, winner of the Robert J. Alfonso Merit award for Excellence.
  • Human Rights Biennial catalogue, College of the Sequoias. Juror: Richard Ludden. “Child Interrupted”.
• 2019
  • Book: “We Talked With Each Other About Each Other”, published by The Alexandria Quarterly. Artists’ visual interpretations of Emily Dickinson Poems. Three paintings by Denise Shaw included.
  • The Fletcher Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art, the Reece Museum, TN. Juror: Sue Coe. Three 2019 paintings on exhibit: ”Tiny Dancer”, “Surveillance”, “Ghosts At The Border”. Winner of Merit award for Excellence.
  • N.A.W.A membership catalog featuring “Sea Of Sunset”.
• 2018
  • The Fletcher Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art. “Exodus” 2018, mixed media on paper.
• 2017
  • N.A.W.A membership catalog featuring “Re-imagining the 4 Freedoms: Freedom From Fear”. Watercolor
  • The First Berliner Art book. 6 Human Rights paintings and works on paper profiled. Published by Art Management Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
• 2016
  • The Fletcher Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art, Juror: Dr. Eric Avery, the Reece Museum, TN.”Charleston”, 2015, acrylic on wood panel.
  • 35X35 Art Project Capelouzos Family Art Museum book
• 2015
  • N.A.W.A membership catalog featuring “The Sum Of My Parts”.
• 2014
  • The Fletcher Exhibition Catalogue, social & politically engaged art.“We Are All Trayvon”, 2013, mixed media on paper.
  • The Monitor “Surface Treatment: Art Against Injustice” Nancy Moyer, Professor Emerita UTPA.
  • Exhibit review: El Manãna, Reynosa, Mexico.
• 2013
  • Art in America, N.A.W.A. Women of Vision. Listing.
  • Catalogue 8th Annual Human Rights Art Exhibit
• 2012
  • Arts and Culture/i-Italy, IADP, Italian American Digital Project. “From Soho Lofts to a Lounge in Rome” by Francesca Di Folco, June 21, 2012. Artist Profile and interview.
  • The Necklace of Songs: India Through A Westerner’s Eye, 2012, Limited edition artist’s book, signed and numbered by the artist. Hardcover, 62 pages, full color
• 2009
  • Studio Visit, Winter 2009, published by Open Press Studios 7th International Juried Exhibition. 2006 First Frontier Collage Society Catalogue
• 2005
  • CE5. Published by Artist’s Books Triennials, UAB “Daigai” 2005
  • Herald Tribune, April 2005. Article: “Advocating for Artists”
• 2003
• Citysearch, January 2003
  • MEMO, October 2003, life-style magazine published in Japan, artist profile
  • American Artist, October 2003, featured article
  • Cruise Industry News, Winter 2002/03. Artist Profile
  • DOGNY America’s Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs. Hardcover, full color, 144pp. Published by TFH Publications 2003
• 2002
  • Cruise Industry News, Winter 2002/03. Artist Profile
  • Bark Magazine, Fall 2002, featured article on painted sculpture/DOGNY
• 2001
  • CowParade New York, published by Workman Publishing 2001
• 1996
  • Time Capsule, published by Creative Time 1996

Contact

Website: www.deniseshawpaintings.com