Born in Cork, Diana grew up in a rattly house bursting with noise. She studied ceramics and sculpture in London and has continued to study and learn ever since. This ongoing curiosity is central to her practice, with everything she encounters finding its way into her work.

Diana’s work begins with memory and imagination, rooted in a somewhat feral childhood spent barefoot in fields of ferns, accompanied by faithful dogs. As she wandered, she was always aware of foxes, rabbits and other creatures watching from the shadows. That feeling of being part of a living landscape has stayed with her and continues to influence how she sees and makes.

After years abroad, Diana returned home with a desire to develop a contemporary Irish folk art — a visual language for the women of our land today, whether they were born here or have adopted this tiny island as their home.

She is interested in the nuances of who we are now, and in how we connect with the centuries of women who came before us: the women who knew the medicine of wildflowers, recognised the changing seasons through the movements of birds, and understood the value of the earth beneath their feet.

These ideas of memory, place, nature and connection are at the heart of Diana’s work, as she explores how they can be reimagined through a contemporary Irish visual language.

Cad é an gnáthlá sa stiúideo cosúil leatsa?

There’s no typical day in my studio, except that I get there as early as I can after walking my dogs. It gets the morning sun, which I love. I begin by tidying and putting everything in its place and that creates order in my thoughts. My studio is small, so my work happens in cycles. I might be immersed in clay, lost in drawing or painting on ceramics, or teaching myself a new process and experimenting to see where it leads. I love stories, so when I’m drawing or painting I’ll have the radio on or listen to an audiobook. When I’m working with clay, I prefer the quiet.

Cad é an rud is mó a thaitníonn leat faoi do chuid oibre?

The promise and hope of the process.

Cad é an rud is lú a thaitníonn leat faoi do chuid oibre?

Social media and having to talk about my work. I’m not great with words and end up talking too much in an effort to be clear.

Cad é an rud ceardaíochta is fearr leat i do theach?

A bowl made by one of my teachers.

Inis dúinn faoin gcéad earra ceardaíochta a rinne tú

I grew up in a creative house, so I don’t remember that. We weren’t wealthy but my parents recognised beautiful things and managed to fill our house with them. Actually over fill it, but it meant I was always creating worlds that could be made up of cut out dolls, beautiful fabric, crystal glasses, cardboard mansions and whatever else I found.

Cá bhfaigheann tú do inspioráid?

Memory, imagination, folk art, stories, wildlife, strong spirits and whatever I encounter in my daily life.

Sílim gurb é sin an rud is mó a thaitníonn liom faoi bheith i m'ealaíontóir — is féidir inspioráid teacht in áit ar bith, ag am ar bith, má fhanann tú fiosrach agus oscailte di.

Cad é an chuid is dúshlánaí de do cheird?

The rising cost of materials and recently the new EU packaging tariffs.

An raibh “timpiste sona” agat riamh agus tú ag déanamh rud éigin?

Pretty much all of my work is a happy accident. Every piece is unique, so every time I open the kiln I’m hopeful that my experiment will come to fruition.

Cad a thug ort do smacht a roghnú?

It chose me. The very first time I touched clay, it grounded me and every day, it takes me back there and reminds me of the importance of being connected to the earth.

Cad a déarfá le duine ar bith atá ag smaoineamh ar bheith ina bhall de DCCI?

I tell people about it all the time. I tell them to ignore the intimidating bits and just push on and do it. It’s one of the few organisations worth being a member of.

An leabhar is fearr leat?

Currently, “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans, but every book is my favourite until I find the next one.

Scannán is fearr leat?

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin..it’s based on one of the islands where my husband grew up and we all love.

An cheolchoirm is fearr a bhí agat riamh?

Concerts by Greek folk artists with my in-laws in Athens. They throw flowers and eat great food, laugh and cry. I love it.

An béile is fearr leat?

Anything Indian or greek that’s vegetarian.

Cad leis a n-éisteann tú?

Audio books, the radio or the world passing outside my window.