Diana Schmertz - Echelon

2017, oil on wood, 20" x 20"

"I am interested in the systems people create in order to organize what they perceive in the world around them. These systems can be based in science, religion, psychology, philosophy or politics. No matter how cerebral a system or idea may appear, it is always experienced through our physical senses. In order to communicate balance between reason and the senses I paint imagery of the body expressing emotional understanding juxtaposed with systems of verbal and/or mathematical reasoning."

About the Artist:

Directly after completing her BFA from Purchase College at the age of 19, Diana
Schmertz moved to Amsterdam, Holland to start her art career as a recipient of De
Ateliers 63’ grant and residency program. Exhibiting internationally, her work has
been shown at Smack Mellon, Center for Book Arts, Muriel Guépin Gallery and
Columbia University in New York City, the International Museum of Women, San
Francisco and Galería Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She
completed two Masters of Science and received grants and awards from
organizations such as Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Northern Manhattan Arts,
Aljira Emerge, and the Drawing Center. In addition to showing her work at
traditional galleries and museum spaces, Schmertz has made public art supported
by grants. Most recently she had a solo exhibit at the Zillman Museum of Art,
presented public work through CHaShaMa & New York City Department of
Transportation at Fordham Plaza, Bronx, NY and has been awarded a commission
by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art program.