Meet Denise Hojdyssek
Denise Hojdyssek’s work is all about balance — between shape, colour, and texture, between structure and feeling. Influenced by modernism, mid-century design, and her travels, her abstract compositions invite quiet reflection through refined, minimal forms.
For our Ola Mexicola Art Series, Denise explored bolder palettes and playful contrasts while staying true to her clean, considered aesthetic.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to be an artist?
I began my creative journey with a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in photography, followed by a year of design studies at the Design Centre Enmore in Sydney. Over the years, I’ve worked across visual merchandising, styling, makeup artistry, and photography—each discipline sharpening my eye for colour, composition, and form. A pivotal moment came during a 2019 trip to India, where I explored textile printing. That experience sparked a shift, and upon returning home, I began painting—marking a new chapter in my artistic practice.
How would you describe your artistic style or philosophy?
My work is deeply influenced by travel, mid-century art, and childhood memories of Scandinavian design. Born in Germany, I feel a strong connection to the Bauhaus movement and the Modernists, whose principles of harmony, rhythm, and proportion resonate with me. I’m passionate about both art and design, and like Bauhaus, I embrace the freedom to blur the boundaries between the two.
What inspires your creative process day-to-day?
I often begin with photography, using images to build mood boards that guide my visual thinking. In the studio, I sketch and collage to explore abstract forms that feel intuitive and expressive. My painting process is layered and tactile—I build surfaces with abstract shapes and transparent washes on canvas or wood, then sand them back repeatedly until the composition feels balanced. Lately, I’ve been exploring abstract still life, continuing my interest in visual simplicity and form.
How did the Ola Mexicola brief and its Mexican influences inspire your work?
Travel is a constant source of inspiration for me. For Ola Mexicola, I immersed myself in the sensory richness of Mexico—its music, cultural rituals, colours, and textures. Colour was my first instinctive response, followed by sound and surface. I wanted to capture the vibrancy and energy of these elements, imagining a world that’s brighter, bolder, and more joyful. My aim was to translate that sensory experience into artworks that evoke the same emotional connection for the viewer.
What role does colour play in your work, and how do you decide on your palettes?
Colour is central to my practice. Sometimes it’s an instinctive reaction; other times, it’s informed by my background in creative industries. My palette often draws from earthy Australian landscapes and mid-century textiles—think olive green, mustard, burnt orange, and charcoal. These tones frequently appear in my work. I love exploring how colours interact, and each new combination brings a fresh sense of discovery and excitement.
How do you hope people will feel when they live with your artwork?
I hope my work invites personal interpretation and storytelling. That’s the beauty of abstract art—it opens space for dialogue and imagination. I want viewers to pause, reflect, and engage, discovering their own meanings and connections within the work.
If you could spend a day in Mexico, where would you go and why?
I’d start the day in the leafy suburb of Condesa, enjoying breakfast before exploring Mexico City’s rich cultural scene. I’d photograph the colours and textures of the city’s architecture, which always inspires me. A visit to the Museo Soumaya would be essential for its striking design, followed by the Frida Kahlo Museum—the Blue House—for a deeper, more personal understanding of her work. I’d also explore the Museo Jumex to experience contemporary Mexican art. To round out the day, I’d visit the National Autonomous University of Mexico to see its incredible mural installations, especially the library building. I’d finish with a drink at Handshake and some delicious tortillas at Castacan.
Explore the Ola Mexicola Art Series and discover Denise’s exclusive works, created in celebration of this new collection.
Explore Ola Mexicola Collection
