Interview
Diana Gumz
Diana is an artist with a passion. And although, she found her way back into art relatively late, she can no longer imagine a different life today. Art moves, asks questions, touches, reaches, gives joy, fascinates. Since she feels this consciously and this clear realization fills the complete space in her heart, she lives the best version of herself. With her works, she makes a clear statement for the diversity in this life. She stands for authenticity and self-empowerment and express exactly that in her paintings. She wants her works to make a statement, to ask people to recognize and live their potentials, to question ways of thinking and to leave old patterns. This world is made of color. It is colorful. This is exactly what she expresses in her works. A lot of color, changing structures and surfaces leave a lot of room for interpretation and reach their viewers’ emotions. Each work looks from different angles always new. Thus, she provides a change of perspective already when viewing and thus prepare a way to find answers to their own questions.
Her recent exhibitions include HolstenART, Neumünster (2023); Galerie auf Zeit - Gallery on time, Föhr (2023); IKK Kunstkilometer - IKK Art kilometers (2023); Flensburg Orgelfabrik - Flensburg Organ factory (2023); Karlsruhe (2023); and Kiel Alteliertage - Kiel Studio Days; among others.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am an artist. And in order to be able to say and live that today, I have gone an unusual and long way. Art has always inspired me, it has always played a role in my life. My parents were both incredibly creative, and so I was able to gain experience with artistic expression at an early age. But therein lay my greatest challenge. Because when my parents separated and my father disappeared from my life, art disappeared with him. I wanted to have nothing more to do with all that. Of course, I didn't quite manage to do that, and I lived out my creativity here and there. But I didn't paint anymore. For me, that was okay. I lived a normal life, was employed, tried to reconcile family and career. I succeeded quite well. However, it was always clear to me that something was missing for me to be happy. I just never knew what it was.
Getting involved in art again also meant dealing with my past. That hurt in a lot of places. But it freed me up and at some point I was able to recognize who I am, what makes me me, what belongs to me and what does not. This realization was great for the time being and I am always working on my values, goals and visions. However, it also means making decisions. Because I realized that many things in my life did not fit with my new insights. I quit my job and studied art therapy. This was quite a scary time. Because it wasn't clear where my path would take me. It was only clear that the old was no longer working. Some people could no longer go my way together with me. And those are really the biggest and often very painful realizations and decisions. But my regained honesty to myself did not allow any other option.
And so, I closed some doors behind me. It was important for me and I made my peace with it. Because I know what I was doing it for. Art was the greatest gift for me in all of this. I was able to process all these experiences in my paintings and experience healing through them. I have opened a studio where I work as an artist myself, but where I also give courses and workshops for people who are ready to set out on the path to themselves with the help of color. I am grateful for all of this, for the experiences, new opportunities and also new people in my life. I love what I do and I have promised myself to continue to be brave and keep going for myself and my visions. For the first time in many years, I feel inner satisfaction. I am proud of myself. And in order for me to continue to be that, it's more important than ever to be honest with myself, even if that's not always easy or what I imagined. It always takes courage to leave my comfort zone and engage with what wants to be felt. Only through this can I create new things. I love this life and I look forward to so many new experiences and adventures.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“With my work, I consciously make a clear statement for diversity in this life and for courage. I stand for authenticity and self-empowerment and express exactly that in my paintings. I want my works to make a statement, to ask people to recognize and live their potential, to question ways of thinking and to leave old patterns.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“There are always different approaches. When I work on a topic, I let it carry me, of course. Then, I start with what I want to say and create around that theme. Sometimes, it's about a feeling or a situation that I want to transport. Then, I adjust exactly from that, try to feel this feeling. From there, I decide quite intuitively how the way can be. I choose colors and movements according to my gut feeling. Then and there are also the moments when I stand in the studio without a plan and without a story and just start. Getting involved in the creative process, no matter how it starts, with full confidence that there is something to say, is an incredibly fulfilling gift to me.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I love to look at art and artists, to let them take me to another world. I am impressed by the works of Gerhard Richter as well as the works and works of Mary Bauermeister. In an art exhibition in Aarhus, Denmark, one work totally captivated me. It was by Georg Achen and is called "the dreaming window in the old liselund castle." I like to go to exhibitions and museums, but street art and graffiti also inspire me. In the end, it doesn't matter who created something and at what time. Just as long as we can resonate with it, such works speak to us. Then, we sink into it and can find a part of ourselves. That is wonderful.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“This world is made of color. It is colorful. This is exactly what I express in my works. A lot of color, changing structures and surfaces leave a lot of room for interpretation and reach their viewers: inside at their emotions. Each work looks from different angles always new. Thus, I provide a change of perspective already when viewing and thus prepare a way to find answers to their own questions. I always work with acrylic, always color-intensive, like on large formats and mostly square. This format has somehow done it to me. In the creative process remains quite long open, where is above and below and I can let myself drift much longer. Whether brushes, palette knives, my hands or spray paint. Everything may be and comes to use. Creating art is fulfillment for me. Not always beautiful, but authentic. Not always harmonious, but honest. Always colorful! Always me! Every color I choose to tell a story. Every movement transports the feeling that I want to make visible. When both meet, then the magic begins.”
“With my work, I consciously make a clear statement for diversity in this life and for courage. I stand for authenticity and self-empowerment and express exactly that in my paintings.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Through art, I have experienced healing myself and found a way to reach people. With my path and my art, I want to encourage other people and bring color into their lives.”
What’s your favorite artwork and why?
“Oh actually, I always love the one I'm working on the most. But there are also works that simply have a great emotional value. There are 2 works to which this applies. One is "September" and the other hangs in my home and is called "heart view,"”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In 2020, I was part of the Luxembourg ART Fair. I was allowed to exhibit with MONAT Gallery in Monaco and Madrid in 2022. I will exhibit with Makowski Gallery in New York. That's a big dream come true. And there is already a plan for next year. There, my journey with the Paschmin Art Gallery will go to Beijing/China. I am so grateful for these opportunities, I look forward to everything that awaits me there.”
Website: www.dianagumz.art
Instagram: @dianagumz.art
