Denise Wallace (Chugach/Aleut)
Denise Hottinger was born in Seattle, Washington in 1957. She attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM in the late 1970s. Denise, along with her late husband, Samuel Wallace, produced jewelry that is inspired by her Alaskan Native heritage. The couple had a studio/gallery in Santa Fe, NM for over 20 years and moved to the island of Hawaii in 1999. Their work has been the individual focus of many exhibitions, including the traveling exhibition, Arctic Transformations: The Jewelry of Denise and Samuel Wallace organized by the Anchorage Museum of History and Art in Anchorage, AK. Among the public collections that include their work: Anchorage Museum of History and Art,; Institute of American Indian Arts, SF, NM; Museum of Arts and Design, NYC; Mingei International Museum, San Diego, CA.
Personal Statement:
My work is a direct reflection on my home, my ancestors and my connection to the world. Along with my husband, we created work that blends our individual interests and knowledge. We have encouraged our children to find their way along this path of creativity and connections as well. Most of my career has been spent telling stories that represent my Alaska Native cultural background. I find myself deeply inspired to make statements about the social and political environment of our world in my work going forward.
Born: March 6, 1957
Education: AFA Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM 1981
Self Employed Visual Artist since 1978
