“My paintings are visual expressions of transformation. I am interested in differences in the painting’s surface and how that can symbolise different states of being. The genre that best describes my work is ‘Magical Realism’ which concerns itself with broken boundaries between the mythical and the real.”
Diana Armstrong
CV
Diana studied English at King’s College London where she was introduced to the paintings in the National Gallery during a tutorial called ‘Literature and art’. Ever since that day she became fascinated with painting spending hours copying and sketching the old masters. She returned to her home of Yorkshire after graduating, where she now lives and works in Pickering, gaining inspiration from the local wildlife. It is this background of literature and love of the animal world that gives Diana her unique perspective on painting. Diana has gained great success over the years. In 2013 she won the ‘Sponsors Choice Award’ in the prestigious bi-annual New Light Prize Exhibition, which recognises newly emerging artistic talent currently being created in the North. Diana also regularly exhibits throughout the UK, including the Mall Galleries and the Affordable Art Fairs in both London and Edinburgh. Diana’s work has become highly sought after, making them precious acquisitions for collectors.
b. 1980 in Exeter, U.K. raised in Gilling East, North Yorkshire
Education
2004 BA English Language and Literature, King’s College London
2005 – 2007 Evening classes in Life-drawing, Easingwold Life-Drawing Group, Galtres Centre, Easingwold, North Yorkshire
2006 Summer school in Anatomy and Life-drawing, The Slade, London
2008 Summer School in Portraiture and Oil painting, Edinburgh College of Art
2009 Course in Light and Perspective in Oil painting, the Norfolk Painting School
Group Exhibitions
2019 August ‘Landscapes of the Mind and Heart’, Inspired by Gallery, Danby, North Yorkshire
2016 July – August: The Society of Women Artists, Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1
2015 January – February: New Year Group Show, Hay Hill Gallery, London
2014 November: Jack Fine Art, Edinburgh Art Fair, Edinburgh
October: Jack Fine Art, Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London
September: New Lights: ‘Art in the North’, Mall Galleries, London
April: Jack Fine Art, Chelsea Art Fair, London
January – April: New Lights Art Prize, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
2013 September – November: New Lights Art Prize The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate
October: Jack Fine Art, Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London
Solo Exhibitions
2013 June: Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Helmsley Arts Centre, Helmsley, North Yorkshire
Awards
2013 ‘Sponsors Choice Award’ New Lights Art Prize The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate
Press
2013 September: Gazette & Herald and The York Press ‘Pickering artist Diana Armstrong shows paintings at prestigious exhibition’ September: BBC Radio York live interview re: New Light’s Art Prize