06 Feb Diana Miller | Dropping In | Curatorial+Co.

Diana Miller’s solo Dropping In is a collection of abstract works that exist as unfiltered expressions of the Self. They marry Diana’s interest in the non-physical with the physical act of painting—expressions of her subconscious and the process by which she manifests the illusive into the palpable.

A combination of expressive, gestural and geometric, shape-based paintings, these are autobiographical works that tell a story of Diana’s interests and life experiences, influenced by her mood and daily environment. With an understanding of art as an act that magnifies the essence of the Self, painting provides a sacred space for her to channel emotions, thoughts and dreams into tangible form.

Dropping In refers to the state Diana goes into when she paints—a place that many experience during meditation, breathwork or any activity that takes us out of the thinking mind. It’s a place difficult to define, where time and reality shift and where we succumb to a state that takes us beyond the physical, through the act of making.

Employing a playful approach, Diana starts her paintings with no predetermined outcome, trusting instinct and curiosity. Beginning initially on the floor before taking her linens to the wall, Diana works quickly with cloths and fingers as well as brushes. Connecting with the dynamic relationships between shape and line found in her paintings, Diana extends into a tactile and metallic dimension with her copper wall hangings. Acting as a complementary extension of her artistic expression, the copper works resemble motifs and relationships that characterise her paintings and enhance the overall sensory experience for the viewer. Together, they form a cohesive body of work that speaks to Diana’s multifaceted artistic vision, where surrender and spontaneity bridge the gap between different mediums, creating a harmonious dialogue between painting and sculpture.

“When I begin a painting, I have no idea what it will become,” says Diana. “I approach my work with a sense of playfulness and curiosity knowing that it is within the realm of playfulness that the inherent joy of creation can be rediscovered, and imaginations nurtured. I’ve learnt to trust myself and my process, to take the leap of faith to begin each piece, relying on intuition to guide me. I start by creating random loose lines and areas of colour, moving in circles around the canvas, gradually adding more paint in gestural flurries as I respond to the imagery that starts emerging from the surface over time. Sitting with the work and observing it for days or weeks is also part of the process, as some works need to brew,
while others resolve more easily.”