Icons of the ancient world are art inspiration at Leamington gallery

Since leaving Birmingham College of Art, Diana has combined her own work with teaching in colleges and schools as far away as Italy and Greece.

And her travels led her to explore the religious icons of ancient churches and sites in Cyprus, where she became fascinated by the ‘sacred feminine’ and experienced the pull of Alexandria across the sea from Paphos.

Diana said: “Often these figurative works superimpose religious iconography on to the female body, almost like tattoos.”

The city of Venice has also played a huge part in influencing the artist, allowing her to express her interest in Byzantium imagery and the sheer brilliance of Venetian glass.

Diana said: “These paintings are not out to shock or to frighten, but instead attempt a new style of modern art, challenging perhaps, with its willingness to calm and enrich the onlooker in a troubled age.”

The full title of the exhibition is From Venice to Alexandria with the paintings along the way. It can be seen at Gallery 150 in Livery Street, Regent Court shopping parade, until September 11.