New Exhibit By Diane Steingart At Gallery A3

Source: Gallery A3 

With her show twenty-three pieces, Diane Steingart explores her artistic journey between the inner world of memories, feelings, and experiences, and the outer manifestation of visual image. Her work is frequently psychological and/or spiritual, and consists of paintings and mixed media on canvas and watercolor paper. The exhibit will open at Gallery A3 in Amherst on April 8 and run through the end of the month. A preview and opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 7, from  5:00-7:00 p.m.

Steingart approaches creating each piece of artwork as an adventure. She does not know the destination, nor does she control the process. In this way, her work is like a meditation where she is aware of the present moment. The process allows the image to emerge. Each artwork is the beginning of a new relationship. Steingart works by experimentation, although she begins her creative journey in the same way each time. Working on either paper or canvas, she creates marks, using acrylics and found objects to create the under-painting.  Steingart states, “I don’t have a favorite color palette although orange, yellow, blue, and purple are recurring color choices.” Colors that clash are appealing to her although these generally stay somewhat hidden in the under-painting.  One could describe her approach to creating as open and receptive. Using a variety of materials to create texture, she layers her work extensively. Each layer modifies the feeling that came before and evolves into the next. The process is challenging, but often leads to revelations and insights.  

Physical symbols like houses and dwellings, windows, and landscapes feature in Steingart’s work. Houses can be both a powerful symbol of the self and a representation of a sacred place. Landscapes can suggest the invisible barrier between the conscious and subconscious. 

Each work tells a story. Steingart creates worlds whose shapes, colors and textures evoke moods and memories that are shared with the visitor. She recalls a meaningful conversation with a visitor who was looking at one of her mixed media pieces in a 2020 group show at Gallery A3 called Partners. The piece, titled Once Upon a Time in New York, depicted a dream-like image from her memory of apartment buildings in New York City. The viewer pointed to the eaves on one of the buildings and said, “I lived there!”, leading him to reminisce about a time from his past.

Before becoming a full-time artist, Steingart was a social worker doing psychoanalytic therapy, as well as both art and dance therapy. She says, “I am always intrigued by what comes out of me into a painting, collage, or mixed media piece, and I am always engaged in the process, even when I feel frustrated or uncertain.”  She adds, “The process of creating helps me to see the value of letting go of control and to continually have patience with myself. This is a lesson for my life as well as for creating art!” 

Art Forum Online April 21
An Art Forum on Zoom will be offered on Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Steingart and Gallery A3 member Rochelle Shicoff will be in conversation during which time the two will explore various themes in Steingart’s work and the ways in which she creates art in her studio. Themes to be discussed are how she does what she does, “those inner voices”, and how her background as a social worker informs her work. The conversation will be followed by Q & A.

See the gallery website (www.gallerya3.com) to register for this online event, which is free and open to the public. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street in Amherst.  Hours are 3-7 p.m Thursday-Sunday.