Diana Parsons
Isle of Wight artist

Diana Parsons is an Isle of Wight textile artist who uses a variety of techniques, often combining several in one piece.

Island textile artist, Diana Parsons has used family archive material to explore themes related to the captured moment, in the context of the connection between figure and location. For this body of work, Diana uses digital print, stitch and dye.



Forthcoming Exhibition

Lifeline

Fri 11 Nov - Sat 7 Jan 2011
Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm and Thurs until 8pm
Quay Arts, Newport, Isle of Wight
Rope Store Gallery
Free Entry

Diana Parsons was born and educated on the Isle of Wight and studied Fine Art at Portsmouth College of Art. After art teacher training at Birmingham University and a long career as an art teacher,Diana Parsons left education in 2002, to become a full time practising artist.

Diana Parsons was originally trained as a painter and although drawing remains a fundamental aspect of her practice, especially life drawing, her interest in textiles, which developed during her teaching career, has become all consuming.

Diana Parsons found that the techniques, colours and textures of fabric, stitch and dye gave her the means to explore ideas, memory, observation and imagination, in ways she have not always found accessible in paint.

The open spaces surrounding her home, near the south west coast of the Isle of Wight have been influential in her work, but travel has provided her with the most exciting imagery. Diana Parsons is particularly drawn to pattern and texture, damaged surfaces and the patina of age. Hence her preoccupation with fresco, the art of the Renaissance and of ancient civilisations. Diana Parsons loves the sense of mystery evoked by fragments of the past emerging, tantalisingly, into the present.

Crete, Morocco and Mexico have all been especially rich in evoking a sense of an ancient, timeless and mysterious culture, which she finds both fascinating and inspiring.

Isle of Wight Arts Exhibitions

'Another Time, Another Place'
Quay Crafts 25 Anniversary Exhibition
The West Gallery Quay Arts Newport IW
July - August 2011

Quay Crafts Exhibition Pelham House Gallery Cowes IW October 2010 - December 2010

Knitting & Stitching Show Alexandra Palace - Dublin - Harrogate Autumn 2010
Exhibition to mark the publication of 'Machine Stitch Perspectives'

Commission Germany November 2009 - July 2010

Open Studios Atherfield IW December 2009

Compilation of Glossary for 'Machine Stitch Perspectives' by Alice Kettle & Jane McKeating Autumn 2008

Commission for Frimley Park Hospital October 2008 - July 2009

MA Show Winchester School of Art September 2008

Open Studios Atherfield IW August 2007

Open Studios Atherfield September 2006

'Moroccan Journey' Quay Arts Ropestore Gallery July 2006 (solo)

'The Art of Pattern' Southampton City Art Gallery Open January 2006

Quay Crafts Group Ventnor Botanical Gardens Oct 2005

Open Studios Atherfield Sept 2005

'Landscape' Quay Arts Open July 2005

'The Blue Room' Quay Arts Summer Craft Show June 2004

'From Chale to Knossos' Alchemist Gallery Yarmouth IW Oct 2003 (solo)

Private Exhibition Whitefield Totland IW May 2002

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