Juniper Rag

Denise Satterfield is a polymer clay doll sculptor who was taught to make art dolls by a very talented and generous Maine based artist, Hawthorne Lindsey Smith. Her work sits at the intersection of craftsmanship, cultural identity, and storytelling. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Denise’s life journey is as multifaceted as her art.

"As a dollmaker and sculptor, I am continuously amazed at the emotional connection that I form with the figures that I’ve made. Creating dolls satisfies my yearning to create, to stir emotion, and sometimes, simply to tell a story. I feel a sense of accomplishment when a doll evokes joy, or even when it evokes a sense of discomfort, especially when that discomfort translates to conversation or introspection.

My work draws from lived experience, historical fiction, fantasy, mythology, and the simple joy of creating. Whether the idea comes from me or is entrusted to me by someone else, I create each figure with anticipation, care, and a genuine love for the process.

My journey as an artist is also deeply connected to the rich history of Black dollmaking. I honor and revere my ancestors—the Black mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and artists who created figures for many different reasons. The Black dolls they created reflected love, beauty, identity, dignity, and belonging. Their creativity and resourcefulness are part of the artistic lineage that I carry with me. This history is an important part of who I am as a creator and continues to shape the way I see and create figures."

See Satterfield's powerful work in VELVET, on view at Juniper Rag Contemporary.

For artist, Aula Al Ayoubi, symbolism plays a central role. Recurring motifs such as pomegranates, flowing hair, and migratory birds evoke themes of identity, displacement, and transformation. Her figures often become living landscapes, carrying traces of architecture, nature, and memory, where personal and collective histories merge. Within this visual language, the feminine presence emerges as a symbol of endurance, dignity, and hope.

Aula Al Ayoubi is an award winning Syrian artist. She holds a degree in mathematics from the University of Damascus and is currently based in the United States. Ayoubi has presented numerous solo exhibitions, including Music Under the Water, Fruit of Heaven, Face Print, and Spring Revolution, across Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, and the United States. Her work has been featured in art auctions and is included in museum collections.

We are excited to share her work VELVET, on view now at Juniper Rag Contemporary.