Artist Statement
I am an interdisciplinary artist that loves using storytelling and figure to explore themes of identity, sexuality, self-image, gender, and community. An illustrator at heart, I use drawing in tandem with any combination of screen-printing, ceramics, sculpture, painting, or colored pencils.
Photo taken by the wonderful Sydney Rae!
These mediums are used to transform and twist the human form to give internal emotions and struggles a more physical appearance. It often culminates in my work giving feelings somewhere between unsettlingly grotesque and chaotically obscene. Influenced heavily by folklore and pop culture: such as music, movies, video games, and comic books; I strive to use these inspirations and themes to evoke a range of emotions in those that view my work.
Biography
Destinee Heizelman is an interdisciplinary artist from the Dakotas. Her lifelong obsession with monster movies and dark humor make strong appearances in her works. Her love of illustration and design led her to pursue a tattoo apprenticeship at Iris Ink and Needle in Spearfish, South Dakota. She will be receiving her bachelor’s degree in studio art at Black Hills State University.
Destinee’s work has received recognition in numerous local exhibitions. Her printed and sculptural works have been showcases in regional venues such as the Matthews Art Center, Ruddell Gallery, and Dahl Fine Arts Center in Rapid City. Outside of the traditional gallery space, Destinee has also actively contributed to her community through mural projects such as the Dipper Creek and the Lookout Tunnel murals, leaving lasting marks on the public spaces she calls home.
In addition to her solo endeavors, Destinee has been a vital participant in the annual art sale organized by the Black Hills State University Art Club, showcasing her commitment to fostering a vibrant artistic community. Destinee Heizelman continues to carve her niche in the art world, seamlessly blending her diverse influences into an ever-expanding body of work that challenges and captivates viewers. As she navigates the intersections of illustration, design, and tattoo artistry.