Geographique

Diana Adams presents a new collection of paintings revealing the majesty of the land from above. Undulating mountain contours, deep swells of ocean, coastal edges and braided rivers are realised using true colours and textures observed. Both abstract and representative, these large-scale works invite viewers to experience a bird's-eye view of familiar landscapes. Adams utilizes topographical maps and Google Earth as launching places for her paintings, overlaying contours with her knowledge and experience of geographical locations. She incorporates materials such as mica and iron sourced from the land itself, along with metallic paints and metal leaf in areas she values highly. Her creative process begins with maps acquired through years of tramping, running and travelling. After transferring contours by hand onto canvas, she works intuitively through multiple layers, starting with water elements and building from low to high contours. Rust is applied early to create circular drips reminiscent of erosion, followed by metallic finishes. The series grew from artistic experimentation begun in 2020, drawing inspiration from her long-distance running journeys and her lifelong connection to New Zealand landscapes, particularly braided riverbeds near her childhood home.