Modern Synthetic Figuration
About
Denisa Mansfield is a contemporary artist whose practice is rooted in Modern Synthetic Figuration, an evolving continuation of Synthetic Cubism explored through this growing collection of works.
Drawing from early modernist traditions, her paintings rebuild everyday moments through geometric structure, classical balance, and expressive colour. Rather than deconstructing form, Mansfield synthesizes it, constructing narrative scenes that balance architectural order with human presence.
Inspired by painters such as André Lhote, her work depicts people and social spaces as composed worlds where tradition and modern life converge. This collection represents an extension of a historical visual language, carried forward through a personal and contemporary lens.
Selected works are available via enquiry. For more about this collection or commission opportunities, please contact.
Vision
It all began with a dream.
In 2021, I had a dream of a gallery space in motion, the atmosphere was stark, strange and luminous. Things were in motion, surreal and symbolic details dominated the dream. I knew then to me it felt meaningful, as a very visual person, I went to bed with ideas, dreamt of surreal worlds and when I woke up, once I have a composition in mind, I have an urgent need to paint it which I did.
This painting was the beginning of my journey into self discovery as an Avant Garde artist, the directions and curiosities I wanted to continue to explore within art and subjects of interest. It sparked a need to delve deeper into my thoughts, inspirations and expressions of deeper feelings and ideologies within a variety of uncharted territories and push boundaries in ways I never knew I could till then.
Luminous, 2021 (SOLD)
Design
In 2023, Jazz music and entertainment became an important factor in life that I often painted to or simply enjoyed for its rhythm and soothing sound. The visionary design for this painting, came to me after seeing Andre Lhote's painting, 'La Danse au Bar' (1920). It infatuated me and I was completely fascinated with the technical composition and layout of figures and how harmoniously the piece came together. It inspired me to take a methodological approach to layout and design, more intentional yet still staying true to my ideas and relevance to story telling through the human experiences and connection to place.
My approach was simple, to capture the experience of the exposure of live music, its psychological impact and the effects of music on society, whether intimate, social or romantic, it evokes deeper human tendencies that I enjoy to demonstrate in my work.
An Evening of Jazz, Ronnie Scott's, 2023 (SOLD)
Afternoon by the Sea, 2026 (Available)
Concept
My latest painting, 'Afternoon by the Sea', grew from a simple question my daughter had been asking lately: “Can we go to the seaside again?” After a long winter, the idea of returning to the beach brought with it a sense of warmth and nostalgia, a feeling I hadn’t realized how deeply we needed.
This work explores themes of fatherhood and family leisure through a liberated composition informed by Synthetic Cubism. Bold colour and layered textures act as symbolic elements, speaking to the evolution of society and the ever-changing social and cultural challenges of the present.
Stepping away from reality while drawing from personal experiences felt both authentic and honest. As a female artist and a mother, the significance of motherhood has become a central presence in my life and work. Raising a family is something to be proud of, and expressing this through my paintings is a way of honouring that experience. Through my work, I hope to open space for parenthood within the art world and offer a humble, sincere connection to something deeply human, a connection we often find ourselves distanced from. I wanted to highlight that there are the most wonderful joys from family life, as simple as surprising your child with an ice cream or making sandcastles together, in the process we often also find our inner child again, isn't that delightful.
This collection continues to evolve as part of the Modern Synthetic Figuration practice, a visual language rooted in constructed form and personal narrative.
Selected works are available via enquiry. For more about this collection or commission opportunities, please refer to the contact page.