04/22/2026
Exhibition by Denise Buisman Pilger : Marking the first presentation of her new abstract work in Toronto. The exhibition introduces a body of work shaped by intuition, material exploration, and a shift away from her earlier figurative practice.
Between Thread and Air builds on a decisive turning point in Buisman Pilger’s work. Moving fully into abstraction, she embraces a process guided by instinct, curiosity, and a willingness to work without fixed outcomes. The exhibition focuses on a series of washi-based works, including mixed media paintings and sculptural wall pieces that explore the material’s expressive range.
Washi sits at the core of Buisman Pilger’s practice; working with dried kozo bark imported from Japan, she scrapes, boils, cleans, and pounds the fibers by hand, transforming them into delicate sheets and textured elements. Across her
work, these fibers move fluidly between surface and form, appearing as embedded layers, shaped into organic forms, or suspended in tension with wire and crochet, blurring the line between painting and sculpture.
In the paintings, washi interacts with acrylic and pencil in a process defined by tension and unpredictability. The absorbency of the paper resists the sealing qualities of acrylic, creating moments of friction and balance that shape the final image.
Imperfection is welcomed, and each piece is allowed to evolve on its own terms.
“This work is about letting go of control and trusting what happens in the moment,” says Buisman Pilger. “The materials don’t always behave the way you expect, and that’s where things get interesting.”
Born in Amsterdam and based in Saint-Jérôme, QC, Buisman Pilger has exhibited internationally, including Miami during Art Basel week, New York, Paris, Japan, and major Canadian cities. Her work is held in private and corporate collections
worldwide.
Between Thread and Air invites viewers to experience a practice shaped by curiosity, vulnerability, and a deep engagement with material.
