Diana White
Born in Warwickshire, Diana knew early in life that art would be central to her world. She studied Graphic Design and later Sculpture at Coventry College of Art.
Her main influences then were the work of Epstein, Frink, Bomberg and Carel Weight and the Pop Art movement.
In 1967 she married and had two daughters and five years later moved with her family to live in Lae, Papua New Guinea. There, on the coast of the South China Sea, the local harbour and fishermen were a continuing theme of her paintings.
Three years later in Queensland, Australia she studied under the studio potter Peggie Warren-Glathe using the medium of clay and glazemaking became her focus for the next eighteen years, both in Australia and later in England. For ten years her work was exhibited annually at Solihull Central Gallery and sold in Bath, Warwick and London.
The final firing in 1994 was on Green Island, Dorset, where Diana and her husband, marine artist John White had lived for five years. During that time contact with galleries in London and the provinces continued.
Further studies followed at the Art Institute, Bournemouth and Poole College. Three dimensions reverted to two and the disciplines of brush, pencil and mouse replaced clay, minerals and kilns.
In 2004 Diana moved to live and work in Pézenas in the Languedoc where she and her husband opened a small gallery. However now the gallery has been replaced by a website: www.coloursinwhite.com
Among her favourite artists are Cassatt, Degas and Toulouse Lautrec and Searle for their line work, the compositions of Matisse, Viullard and Sandra Blow for their free movement and the work of Gwen John, Maggie Hambling and Lucien Freud for their keen observation to detail.
Working in inks, gouache, acrylics and oils, separately or as mixed media the everyday lives and customs as subject matter are once again a continuing theme. Diana’s work is readily accessible and she feels little need to talk or write about it. The light in the region is a gift to all artists and colours are naturally intense. Pézenas and the Languedoc have a wealth of subjects which she hopes to explore for many years.
Information: www.coloursinwhite.com
Exhibition: Jane Hansare John White Diana White ONE DAY ONLY
1000hrs - 1800hrs
Lavender Rooms 2 rue Aristide Rouzière Pézenas