From its
conception, Diana Paul Galleries has emphasized the importance of Canadian art. With an experienced eye for
art trends and styles, the gallery has sought out some of the best in Canadian
artists.
“The artwork presented by the gallery runs the full gamut from high realism to
impressionism and abstract impressionism to full abstracts,” says Nina Rogers, managing director for Diana
Paul Galleries. “We constantly hear from our clients that they are still enjoying works purchased from us
years ago and recently.”
Its founding director, Diana Paul,
established the gallery in 1988. Rogers, who is Paul’s daughter, has maintained an active role with the
gallery since graduate school. Paul, now semi-retired, continues to remain involved with the
gallery.
After 20 years at its former location, Diana Paul Galleries moved to the heart of
Calgary’s financial district in 2007.
As the gallery continues to evolve with the times, it remains at the top of its
game.
“The gallery is moving into the historical art area as we have clients returning
to us to market works by artists we represented but who have passed away or are no longer producing. They
have included Henri Masson, Tom Roberts, Claude Picher, Molly Lamb Bobak, George Bates, Daniel Izzard, Robert
Galli, Bruno Côté and Gilles Archambault.”
Offering a wide range of artworks, Diana Paul Galleries continues to look for
creative ingenuity in the artists it chooses to represent.
“We look for the quality of execution. We look many places for emerging artists
including graduating classes from university fine art programs and the art colleges across Canada,” says
Rogers. “In the past, we would travel across Canada to do the research; however, now the Internet gives [us]
ready access to many artists’ portfolios, so we rely more on the Internet for the initial
screening.”
The gallery is getting ready to showcase
Color
Strata, an exhibition by Nicholas Bott, an artist they
have represented for 19 years. Born in Holland and settling in Canada at the age of 17, Bott produces
semi-abstract impressionist artworks inspired by the painterly works of Vincent Van Gogh and the Group of
Seven.
“The strength of Nicholas Bott’s art is, in part, that though the work is stylized
abstracted impressionism, he is true to the reality — the experience of being in these wild Canadian places,”
Rogers says, of Bott’s vividly coloured landscape paintings.
Rogers says colour and size are two art trends she has recently noted, and
something that the gallery strives to offer the best of for its clients. “Both clients and artists are moving
to engage in art with vivid colour. Decors are now neutral with the art providing the impact. This trend also
emboldens clients to place larger works. Major works of art, those that are sizable, create an even greater
impact.”
With Bott’s latest exhibition offering both trends, it’s an ideal opportunity for
the art enthusiasts to add a work by this renowned artist to their
collection.
For clients to make the most of their art
selection, she says it is best to have something specific to reference when interpreting contemporary
artwork.
“Educate your eye. Go to both public and commercial art galleries to familiarize
yourself with styles and find your preferences. Remember, art is emotional. A person’s taste in art grows
with exposure and experience.”
Nicholas Bott’s “Color Strata” exhibition is on
display now at Diana Paul Galleries.
» dianapaul.com •
Photo Courtesy: Diana Paul
Galleries
