Diana Poliak - BA(Hons)

After a Foundation Course at Maidstone Art School, and Business Studies Diploma from Medway College of Technology, Diana worked in London for ten years, in the fashion, film and media business, then ran her own boutique and gallery in The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells from 1983/94.  Returning to college to study, part time, for a fine arts degree at WKC - University of Greenwich 2003/8. Followed by the Workshop/Studio/Gallery at Wrotham Heath from 2012 to 2024.

Her work has been shown frequently in the South East, including a solo exhibition at The Ripley Arts Centre in Bromley.  

Diana has been involved with various group projects, relating to both her art and literary pieces, having had her poetry published in several anthologies and also aired on BBC Radio Kent during 2020 and 2021. Her painting "Fungi" was shortlisted for the BBC 2 programme "Show Me The Monet" in 2011, and her oils on canvas "Shell Seeking at Sunset", was selected for publication in the Kent Artist Greeting Card series in 2012 - available in galleries and libraries. Diana's prints and paintings "Condor Chick", "The Famous Hat" and "Grayson Claire with Cat and Bear", have been exhibited in The Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions in London, in 2013, 2016 and 2018.

Other works have been shown in The Cello Factory at Waterloo, and Gallery Different in Fitzrovia, London in 2019.

The majority of Diana's paintings, prints, poetry and ceramics are inspired by her enthusiasm for natural history, fantasy, fairytale and folklore. So her creations are often exaggerated and sometimes whimsical. She enjoys experimenting with mixed media.

Diana was also a runner up in the Royal Academy 'Friends Art on A4' Competition, and her entry was displayed in a special exhibition at the RA in January 2017, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Friends at the RA. Limited edition prints of this picture 'Hip Hip HurRAh' are available from CultureLabel.com.

'Hip Hip HurRAh'
(Visiting The Royal Academy)

In March 2017 Diana was a finalist
in The Kent Life Magazine's Landscape Painter of the Year Competition with her oil painting 'Wealden View 2'.

Downland Uplift

Wealden View 2- oil on canvas

Diana's painting "Grayson Claire with Cat and Bear" was hung in the
'Room of Fun' at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, 250th Anniversary of the RA, co-ordinated by Grayson Perry in 2018.