East Gallery
Diane Salamon
Oklahoma in Abstract
November 13, 2006 thru January 7, 2007
Diane
Salamon’s exhibit of subjective abstract paintings, Oklahoma
in Abstract, celebrates our history and promising future in honor of
the upcoming centennial. Reflecting Oklahoma themes and ideals through
symbols, colors, and form, Salamon hopes to educate and celebrate Oklahoma
through her historically focused paintings.
To prepare for the exhibit, Salamon began with research and travel throughout the state. After a visit to the Spiro Mounds, she produced the painting “Spiro Mounds” which evokes feelings of the early Indian culture still with us today. For “Trail of Tears,” Salamon focused on the emotional and spiritual hardships felt by the Cherokee people as they were relocated.
The process to create a painting involves intricate planning by the
artist. Salamon says that before painting, she writes her goals for
that session. The symbols and epigrams that she utilizes are well researched. “Each
painting begins with colorful shapes, which are then layered over with
written messages, symbols or monotypes. From there, I reduce or add
to the painting in an intuitive manner until the painting feels complete.”
The results are canvases saturated in color, violently strewn shapes
and symbols that merge together in a peaceful cohesive manner. The
barrage of thoughts sometimes creates conflict within in a piece. Resolving
this conflict is what leads the artist to the studio each day. “My
paintings often reflect the complexity of our lives. I begin by painting
the chaos of life and gradually bring it to a beautiful presence,” said
Salamon.
Born in Mankato, Minnesota, Salamon lived in various locations within
the United States. As a young adult, Salamon settled in Tulsa where
she has remained for the past 20 years. Salamon has participated in
group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States and her work
has been featured in such publications as Tulsa
Woman and Watercolor.
Salamon is a member of the Southwestern Watercolor Society, Women Artists
of the West and the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council. For more information contact Scott Cowan or Karen Sharp at 405.521.2931 or scott@arts.ok.gov.
The East Gallery is located on the 1st floor of the State Capitol and open daily from 8:00-5:30.