DIANE COADY

BIOGRAPHY

Diane Coady adopted Oklahoma City as her home in 1981, and then years later, made her studio in the Paseo Arts District. Coady began as an art major in college, but soon shifted to pursue nursing. While a practicing nurse at Mercy Hospital, she found herself among fellow nurses who began teaching themselves needle arts. Coady then took classes and began to blend her passion for fine art and fiber. Though Coady is primarily self-taught, in 1996 she studied with accomplished Shibori artist Ana Lisa Hedstrom. This experience greatly influenced her work and practices to pursue art full-time. She has exhibited widely, won awards, and has been featured in publications. Her tactile, functional, and wearable artworks have been sold around the country.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

How are your background and life experiences connected to your art?

As a vehicle for telling stories.

Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

My fiber teachers, the Asian aesthetic of Yoshiko Wada and Akemi Nankano Cohn, and the community of artists I call friends, for their encouragement and mentoring.

How have you developed your artist career?

I continue to take workshops to expand and familiarize myself with new techniques. I show my work via galleries, boutiques, and festivals and occasional competitions.

What does your artistic work intend to communicate to its audience?

A lush interplay of color and design.

Do you have a particular story that stands out from your career as an artist?

Gloria Steinem has been seen wearing a scarf I gave her after she spoke at a Planned Parenthood dinner.

What is one thing you would like your audience to know about you?

I am interested in what they think and what moves them.

Why have you chosen to sell your work in the 1515 Lincoln Gallery?

The gallery is beautiful and every effort is made to present to work well. I appreciate Susan's interest in art and artists as a community as we share the gallery.

What do you believe makes 1515 Lincoln Gallery distinct from other galleries?

The efforts to see artists in the gallery as a community, our shared interest and what we have to learn from each other.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am interested in storytelling with an ancient fiber. Dyework on silk is a narrative of color and form, completed by the wearer. With sculptural silk, its story is interpreted by the observer. Using flat white silk, silk dyes, and a variety of techniques including resist, shibori and itajime, I color and shape the fabric. I find this luscious fabric to be a delightful challenge. It is kind to the eye and alluring to both wearer and viewer.