Throughout the entire month, ReCreative Denver has recognized the female creators and leaders in our building and our community. With all of the different backgrounds, processes, and knowledge that each woman brings to her work and our little RCD family, we couldn’t be more proud to be surrounded by such empowered and awesome ladies.
Jennifer Hendrick (she/her) is the artist behind GrimePanda and the person who will greet you with a warm hug, bright smile, and hearty laugh every time you see her. She’s been with ReCreative since the early days — as a studio resident, collaborator, and friend.
Her artworks are fluid, both in process and in style. GrimePanda ties together a dynamic group of elements in the form of sculpture, performance, collage, and photography. Bright neons, glitter, broken glass, and found objects are found in much of her work — with a trash-to-treasure mentality. And this year she’s adding pottery to her repertoire!
Jennifer’s works are meant to invoke curiosity in the reader through varying color fields and textures. The idea here is that there doesn’t always need to be a narrative and that art can stand alone as an artifact of creative expression — frozen in time yet not necessarily archival.
“I want my works of art to encompass the fun and childlike creative process of experimenting with old and new objects and materials. GrimePanda tries to find existing discarded substrates to create the works on, and always embraces a fun and chaotic, messy process.”
Outside of creating art, Jennifer has worked extensively with children, who she describes as “miniature artists.” Her time with little ones continues to inspire her process, manifesting in an internalized understanding of a youthful mind.
“Children remind us to embrace the fun mess and laugh along with the obstacles and challenges life throws at us; without some humor, life would be just too dang hard.”
Jennifer also finds inspiration in collaborative work. Whether that’s with established craftsmen like ArtzerShaw, a stranger-turned-friend who walks into her studio, or with close friends and colleagues. Annie Denison is one such friend who Jennifer says has impacted the GrimePanda process from its roots.
“There’s a certain level of magic and whimsy that happens when I get to work with other people. The secret sauce is in the connections with those around us and being able to do so in a creative and safe environment — that’s great motivation to keep making.”
See more of GrimePanda’s works and request a commissioned piece from her >