Within our built environment there lives a story. Behind the slightly opened door of “Leave the Light On”, we find a woman reading by candlelight in quiet solitude. I use architecture as my metaphor to connect with people. Within our walls, there are untold stories that quietly reside.

With my background in printmaking, I am drawn to use my technical mind to build with my hands. With the gentle curve of the staircase, I incorporate the feminine with the masculinity of structure and building. Yet the soul of the work is revealed behind the door and the bird on perched on the railing.

 The magical staircase encourages you to climb up and enter the apartment. City life is captivating, as are the tales of the individuals who may reside behind the windows.

This piece captures the sense of adventure and wonder sparked by travel. Inspired by Croatia’s historic architecture, the intricate details tell stories of a time long past, infused with history and charm. The archway and stairs act as a portal, inviting the viewer to step into a magical realm where every corner holds mystery. Shadows and dimensional layers evoke the play of light found in ancient streets, drawing you deeper into the experience. The work embodies the feeling of discovery and the transportive magic that travel brings, where each moment unfolds a new story.

A gallery of available work by Heather Kocsis.

As an image maker/ urban hiker, I invite the viewer to see different perspectives through our urban landscape. There is always so much more than meets the eye. We are met with insight and delight when we pause to contemplate and let our eyes discover. The reflections and details behind the window offer a story.

I find great joy in creating pieces that tell powerful stories. While exploring New York City with “Forgotten New York” as my guide, I discovered the abandoned Revere Sugar Refinery in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Once a vibrant part of the community, it now stood closed, nearly forgotten.

Back in my studio, I was inspired to create several works, including “Remnants of a Factory, Now Gone” and “Ruins Past, Future Possibilities.” Using archival corrugated cardboard and layers of wood, these pieces blend light and shadow, reflecting on the past while embracing hope for the future.

A year later, I returned to the site and was profoundly moved to see the refinery had been completely demolished—a stark reminder of how quickly such structures can disappear. I placed a bird as a symbol of life and nature, weaving our stories from our built environment alongside the enduring presence of the natural world.

“Spiralling Blue” nestles within a corner. The dynamic spiral creates movement as you visually ascend each step. The doorways on each landing resonate with the stories of those we might imagine living there. The little bird infuses life and the spirit of Nature. This artwork reflects my deep fascination with spirals and my enduring interest in Sacred Geometry.

This piece highlights the deep connection between older buildings and the people who worked within them. These structures are more than just part of the urban landscape; they embody the dreams of workers aiming to provide for their families.

“Building from Within” invites the viewer to step into the heart of these spaces, where the stories of the past still resonate. This work emphasizes the importance of preserving old buildings, as they hold the memories and dreams of the people who passed through them, serving as a foundation for our shared history and communities.

“Dimensions Within” represents simultaneously standing in front of and within a built space. Sometimes we forget what it feels like to be within our environment. I chose monochromatic colours, and linear perspective to draw the viewer in without needing to physically move. Using many layers of wood and paint, the layers, textures, form, and colour represent the viewer’s inner dimensions within ourselves; constantly moving, shifting, and evolving. 

"Solace" - Although it is based on a religious structure, it is not a religious artwork, yet a spiritual one. To feel you can enter into it and lay your suffering down. 

I created this recent artwork specifically in response to the pandemic. All that we lost, all that we experienced, and the hurt on many different levels. I wanted to create an artwork that would offer healing and felt you were encompassed with love and comfort and safety.

The deeper knowledge provided in this piece, 'As Above, So Below', is of a heart-centered space that each of us desire to attain while walking through the various trials and tribulations of our life experiences. While casting your eyes upon the exquisite detail, an unfolding journey to the heart appears to happen instantaneously with no effort.

This sculpture draws you into a tranquil space beyond time. Neutral tones and a vanishing point guide the eye toward an infinite horizon, evoking calm and reflection. As you approach, subtle layers suggest another dimension—an invitation to quiet insight and inner stillness. The piece offers a meditative journey, where simplicity leads to new understanding.

“The Path” is about a journey. My work is often inspired by my travels, and I find solace in nature during my adventures. This artwork represents a safe space you can enter, surrounded by the grounding colours of nature and light as we venture on our journey.

Part of the “Dancing Within Our Worlds” international collaboration, sculpting and building the essence of the sacred 4th Century B.C. Taq-e Bostan in my studio, acclaimed Iranian performer Yaser Khaseb powerfully transforms the ancient petroglyphs into breath, bringing the soul to the stone. 

In Yaser’s words:

“The performance of Vason is based on the Iranian legends….with emphasis on two legendary, mythical heroes: Rostam and Esfandiar ‘Gorasab’, Graz/ Horse. 

‘Vason’  means stone arch. This short film is a conceptual physical narrative of the passage of the throne of time and the life of Iranian kings (Sasanian period) in the climate area of the Boar hunt in the heart of the Silk Road expressing the art of body movement and the rebellious movements: Body/ Mythology Body”.

"Dancing Within Our Walls" - Architecturally inspired by an ancient 12th Century monastery in Dubrovnik, Croatia, this piece was a catalyst for the Dancing Within Our Worlds Project. People often comment they want to climb into my pieces and explore.

Creating an artwork during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, this piece delves into the pain of isolation of being physically disconnected from our friends and family, the uncertainty of the future, and eventually, the light and hope once we all come out of the darkness. 

I created this piece because I felt the deep significance of Yankee Stadium; it wasn’t just a building, it was a part of people’s lives. “The House That Ruth Built”, standing since 1923, held memories that ran deeper than just baseball; it was about family, community, and shared moments. I traveled to New York to photograph the stadium just before the last championship game in 2008. This would be the final game held in the stadium before it was demolished.

My work is all about connection, and I wanted this artwork to do more than just capture its likeness; I wanted viewers to feel the heart of the stadium, the passion, the nostalgia, and the personal stories woven into its walls. Though the physical structure is gone, this artwork keeps its memory alive, connecting us to a time and place that meant so much to so many.