Modern Romance: A Solo Exhibition by Danielle Dyksterhouse

Artist Statement

Women, personal strength, and social commentary are at the heart of my paintings. I challenge the idea that softness, sensuality, or femininity makes someone less powerful. Throughout history, women have been controlled, defined, and shaped by expectations created around them. My work explores what happens when those expectations are removed and women are free to define themselves.

To achieve this, I work primarily in black and white because it feels bare and direct. Without color to soften the image, every line and detail of the figure is visible. That starkness is then combined with layered brushwork and natural elements such as dried flowers and grasses - the contrast between the exposed figure and these organic

materials creates a balance between strength and softness, vulnerability and resilience.

Together, these choices reflect my interest in humanity, identity, and the tension between being seen as yourself and being defined by others. My work asks what becomes possible when women are free to exist fully as themselves. Ultimately, my paintings question the boundaries placed around femininity and power. I want the work

to challenge those ‘ideals’ while recognizing the many ways women shape the world around them.