|
“A People Palette” presents a large group of small portraits. Each painting expresses the individuality of its subject, while the group as a whole demonstrates their cultural diversity and community identity. Incorporating different media, the focus is on the oil paintings, which are supported and extended by the other elements of the series: the questionnaires, photos, abstracts and website (http://www.apeoplepalette.com, created in a program funded by the NEA). Ms. Hobstetter worked with the participants on the creation of their portrait painting and they share background information in the form of a questionnaire. A “color bar” at the bottom of each painting records the colors used in the skin tones of the painting; the skin palettes are remarkably similar despite ethnic differences. The fun and vibrance of this series shines through these faces while almost subconsciously transmitting its lessons of tolerance. |
Featured Artist: Diana Hobstetter
Diana
Hobstetter is a painter who works in oils and mixed media.
Her work of the last few years has explored issues of identity,
addressing sexuality, ethnicity, place, and memory.
Her most recent work includes four painting series, including “Sex,
Saints & Suicides”, “A People Palette”, “Memory Maps”, and
“Fragile Flesh”.
Currently based in Santa Monica, California, she has exhibited her work at Los Angeles gallery spaces including the Patricia Correia Gallery, Half A Dozen Rose Gallery, the Eye Five Gallery and SK Gallery, as well as running a 2-year Artist-in-Residence program for the “People Palette” series at the Bean Queen coffee shop in Venice, California.
Concerned
with women’s issues, Hobstetter has been on the board of the Southern
California Women’s Caucus for Art, holding such positions as Executive
Secretary and Website Chair.
In 1999, she created the Media Room for the National WCA Conference in
Los Angeles.
All paintings used with the permission of the artist.