Introducing: Diana Forbes
I have Instagram to thank for connecting me with Oxfordshire-based artist Diana Forbes shortly before opening The Willard Gallery this spring. After a few months of getting to know one another on the app, through emails, and a call on Zoom that I could have stayed on for ages, we decided to partner in bringing Diana’s first collection of work to the US. She sent along six still life mixed media collage works on paper and it has been such a joy to share them with this community.
To best get a sense of the many layers and textures of Diana’s signature collages, you really should view them in person - the details are phenomenal, but I’ve had great luck showing clients from afar her work through FaceTime calls and recorded videos. Until you’re able to make a time to see Diana’s collage paintings in person, have a read through her Q&A answers for a behind the scenes look at Diana’s process, her inspiration, and why she chose to work in collage.
What drives you to create?
Observing my surroundings, a constant urge to combine colours and play with textures.
What currently inspires your art?
Spending a day in nature, gardening and watching new colours emerge throughout the seasons. Lockdown was mainly spent indoors so still lifes played a big part in my work. Arranging fruit and flowers daily, seeing flowers change by the day, capturing these moments through drawings and later creating paintings and collages.
What does your process look like?
Many works start with simple drawings in pen or ink. A quick observation of a vase of flowers or fruit bowl on the kitchen table. Carefully choosing colours to reflect the light. Collage papers are created over time. Papers are filled with patterns and colour combinations. After deciding on a still life scene, I cut collage pieces organically without previous drawings, from memory. Oil paint is added towards the end of a work to add additional texture and allow for vivid colours.
What drew you to working in collage originally?
I always enjoyed cutting paper and my hands were always covered in glue as a child. The freedom of moving collage pieces around until a final place is decided on. The texture of different types of paper and the excitement to combine different types of papers. The unexpected texture in a work, when you observe it up close, there is always something new to explore and find.
Which artists inspire you the most?
Artists which inspire me most can range from figurative to abstract art, such as Romi Behrens, David Hockney, Mitchell Johnson, Laura Jones and Jennifer Pochinski.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I try and live with my paintings for a while, keeping them in my living space. If I feel that there is nothing to add then I consider a work finished.
Your favorite museum?
I love spending hours at the Tate Modern in London, seeing fantastic contemporary and abstract works and exciting installations.
How do you spend your time outside of the studio?
My time away from the studio is mainly spent with family. I have two sons and they like to keep me active. We go on many walks in the surrounding forest and meadows near our home. Occasionally I might even find time to fit in a run or some yoga!
A big thank you to Diana Forbes! Follow along with Diana’s work on Instagram and be sure to watch for announcements for her upcoming UK-based collaborations with Edit58 and Studio Faeger.
