Faces and Masks

Art for the month of June in Taliafarro Hall.

Denise Darcel Sawyer-Johnson explores the beauty, depth, and individuality found in the human face. Her work invites viewers to look beyond appearance and consider identity, emotion, memory, and the stories carried within expression.

Presented during the season of Spreading the Word and the observance of Juneteenth, this exhibition reflects on the many ways people are seen, remembered, and understood. Faces become narratives; masks become vessels of history, imagination, and transformation.

Through acrylic painting, mixed media, and mask assemblage, Denise layers texture and meaning using papers, gemstones, stencils, wood, found objects, flatware, and recycled materials. Her masks and portraits celebrate creativity, resilience, and the richness of human expression.

About the Artist
Denise Darcel Sawyer-Johnson was born in New York City and raised in Miami by parents of Southern and Bahamian heritage. She holds degrees from Howard University and Boston University, as well as a Doctor of Management degree in Organizational Leadership.

Prior to 2016, Denise had never painted, drawn, or assembled a mask. Drawn to the expressive qualities of faces, she began creating works inspired by the beauty, character, and emotion conveyed through eyes, lips, hair, and expression.

Her work has appeared in juried exhibitions and local art venues throughout the region and is held in private collections across the eastern United States. She continues to exhibit with The Art Center Cooperative of Jacksonville (TAC).
Contact: [email protected]