Diana Gordon
B.A., M.A.
I am an archaeologist, a mother, an art educator and website curator among other roles. I have been painting and exhibiting in the Hamilton-Toronto- Burlington region for 30 years. Art is communication, not simply with a viewer, but also a way of uncovering and revealing our inner self, to ourselves. Creativity comes from the centre of being. For me, teaching is about encouraging students to allow their own creativity to flow.
As an archaeologist, I literally dug down into the earth to learn about prehistoric peoples of the Boreal Forest and their material culture. Perhaps this is why I paint northern Ontario landscapes and still life objects.
My children’s explosive creativity led me to more fully explore my own, by taking many courses at the Dundas Valley School of Art and by painting my domestic journey through motherhood. Family trips to the Europe and the USA immersed me in Art History. My response was to explore 17th century painting techniques at the School of Classical Realism (Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts).
As a volunteer docent at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, I breathe inspiration with each new exhibition. In 2014, I embarked on a 6-month project to explore Cézanne’s unique approach, and more recently, Van Gogh’s.
Teaching art at both the AGH and the DVSA has opened even more new vistas. I like excavating with my students – digging down to that essential concept, or technique, or lesson in our joint exploration of art making.
Born in Toronto 1955. Living in Hamilton since 1980.
BACKGROUND & TRAINING
- 2009 – 2012 School of Classical Realism, 4 Year Program. Instructor Alexander Dzyubko, Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.
- 1996 – 2009 Dundas Valley School of Art – Level 1 Certificate; Level 2 Program.
- 1999 – 2000 Collective/Mentoring Program. Instructor V. Jane Gordon, Burlington Art Centre.
- 1984 – 1991 Ph.D. candidate, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University.
- 1983 M.A. Department of Anthropology, McMaster University.
- 1977 B.A. Four Year, Trinity College, University of Toronto.
EXHIBITIONS & SHOWS:
Solo Exhibitions
- 2007 Domestic Intimacy. Sunrise Gallery, Hamilton.
- 2000 Experiences. Sunset Gallery, Hamilton.
Invitation Exhibitions
- 2009 Five Painters. You Me Gallery, Hamilton. Bryce Kanbara, curator.
- 2008 New York City’s AntiDull Art Magazine (Online), Issue 3, April.
- 2007 Observation and Sensation. Arta Gallery, Toronto. Fay Athari, curator.
- 2003 International Woman’s Day Group Show. Ontario Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton. Patti Beckett, curator. 1999 A Celebration of Mothers. Gamsby Gallery, Hamilton. Hajni Yosifov, curator. EXHIBITIONS (Juried Group) 2013 35 Year Celebration Silent Auction. Burlington Art Centre, Burlington.
- 2002, 1998 6th and 2nd Annual Student Juried Show. Dofasco Gallery, Dundas Valley School of Art.
Group Exhibitions
- 2016-2018 Faculty Exhibitions. Dofasco Gallery, Dundas Valley School of Art.
- 2015-2016 17th-20th Art in the Workplace. McMaster Innovation Park.
- 2011-14 December Shows. You Me Gallery, Hamilton.
- 2011-2012 Industrial Re-Evolution. Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology.
- 2010-2012 Summer Student Shows. School of Classical Realism, Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.
- 2008 Deck the Walls. Members Show, Sunrise Gallery, Hamilton.
- 2005-2006 we @ you me. You Me Gallery, Hamilton. V. Jane Gordon, guest curator.
- 2001-2003 Going Once…. Silent Auction for Hamilton Aids Network, Transit Gallery, Hamilton. 2000 Convergence: 10 Body Contexts. Main Gallery, Burlington Art Centre. V. Jane Gordon, curator. Publication.
- 2000 Bountiful Women at Work. Women’s Open Art Show, Ontario Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton.
- 1998 Courage. Women’s Open Art Show, Community Gallery, Art Gallery of Hamilton.
- 1998 Material Culture: An Expression of Self. Nubian Art Gallery, Hamilton.
