“Diana Alva was a force to be reckoned with. She was the epitome of strength who grabbed life by the horns and only grew stronger with every battle she had to overcome. Art was the defining factor of her life. She poured her heart and soul into her artwork. She was a multifaceted artist who worked with clay, paint, music, pencil, and everything in between. She made waves in the artist community of Detroit and was a proud Latina business owner. Diana Alva met so many people during her trials and tribulations of life. We invite everyone who loved Diana to join us in celebrating her love for life, art, and one another.
An exhibition was held from April 2nd - 7th at detroit contemporary. We gathered for a celebration of life on April 6th from 1:00-3:00 pm in the gallery where we told stories, ate good food, and laughed, just as Diana would have wanted.” -Lillian Settles, Diana’s granddaughter
Swift expressive brushstrokes conjure objects outlined in midnight blue. Space is created through a table’s edge and background walls in muddy grey. The cool palette is warmed with a touch of burnt sienna.
Highly textural tight patterning, layered in deep heavy tones, stays just this side of chaos with a bit of a breather at the top of the picture. Deliberate shots of pink break up the dense foliage.
Alva made a series of pictures where vertical curling swaths split the canvas into distinct sections. Swirling and pulling wet paint through while short of fully mixing, the colors remain uncorrupted allowing the darks to shadow the brighter hues creating movement and depth.
Alva had been a still life painter before evolving into abstraction. Loosely painted but discernible items present with a swipe of creamy orange highlighting a teacup’s rim.
I had seen Diana at openings, but it was an annual plant exchange, held by her close friend Veronica Bielat, where I became better acquainted with the artist. The exchange allowed gardeners to expand their landscapes but was equally a great excuse to catch up over wine and nibbly treats. Diana was very easy to talk to and enthusiastically supported my endeavors. We weren’t particularly close, but she definitely left her mark on my art journey. Godspeed Diana.
This week Spring Salon will be in full swing and on view through April 28th at detroit contemporary 487 W Alexandrine Detroit
*images are mine. The paintings aren’t particularly large. Generally in the 30x30, 24x36 range.
direct quote from gallery materials
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SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Brain Candy Monday April 15th only