Quick Facts
Biography
Diane Falkenhagen is an American artist metalsmith living and working in Texas.
Life and work
For more than three decades Diane Falkenhagen has been creating and exhibiting art jewelry. In 1977 she received her B.F.A. from the University of North Texas and in 1981 she received her M.F.A. from the University of Houston. A native Texan, Falkenhagen lives and works on west Galveston Island.
She is best known for her mixed media jewelry in which she transforms 2-D images into 3-D objects. The images serve the same purpose in the pieces as a gemstone would, drawing the viewer in and focusing their attention. Her images and inspiration come from art history, iconography, metaphor, and memory.
Falkenhagen’s jewelry is held in private collections and is exhibited all over the world. Some of her work had been featured in the publications American Craft, Metalsmith, Ornament, Southwest Art, the New York Times, and the books: Color on Metal, 500 Brooches and 500 Necklaces.
She also runs workshops and is an assistant professor at the University of Houston. She is active in promoting the field of metalsmithing and is a former member of the Board of Directors of SNAG, the Society of North American Goldsmiths. She is also a former member of the editorial advisory committee of Metalsmith magazine.
Education
M.F.A., University of Houston, Houston, Texas, 1981 B.F.A., University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 1977
Publications
2008: Ornament magazine, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp, 66-67; Review of "Framing: The Art of Jewelry/Touching Warms The Art" at the Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland OR; by Alice Scherer
2007: Metalsmith magazine, Exhibition in Print, "Framing the Art of Jewelry;" Curated by Ellen Lupton; Vol.27, No. 4, pp. 32, 33, 41
2006: 500 Necklaces: Contemporary Interpretations Of A Timeless Form; p. 84; Marthe Le Van, Editor; Intro by Marjorie Schick; Lark Books, 2006, Asheville, NC
2005: 500 Brooches: Inspiring Adornments For The Body, p. 60; Marthe Le Van, Editor; Intro by Marjorie Simon; Lark Books, 2005, Asheville, NC 2002: Metalsmith magazine, Exhibition in Print; Vol. 22, No. 4, p. 20
2001: Color on Metal, pp. 96–97; Tim McCreight and Nicole Bsullak; Guild Publishing, 2001, Madison, WI Metalsmith; Vol. 21, No. 5, p. 46; Review of solo exhibition at Sybaris Gallery; by Susan Holt
2000: Ornament, autumn issue, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 42 – 44; feature article about her work, "Subverting Traditional Definitions;" by Asia Freeman American Craft, October/November issue, Vol. 60, No. 5; p. 119; work reproduced in "Gallery" Jewelry Circles Magazine, Vol. 54, April, pp. 106–108 (Published in Taiwan); feature article,"The Image Transferred Jewelry of Diane Falkenhagen" by Chia-Chi Tu
1999: Metalsmith, Vol. 19, No. 2, p. 47; "The Environmental Bead" by John Cogswell; Review of "The Environmental Bead" exhibition
1998: Southwest Art, June; p. 106; work reproduced in "Of the West" section
1997: New York Times, August 17; "New and Bold Takes on the Humble Bead" by Bess Liebenson; Review of "The Environmental Bead" exhibition
1996: Metalsmith magazine, Exhibition in Print, Vol. 16, No. 4, p. 11
1992: Metalsmith, winter issue, Vol. 12, No.1, pp. 42–43; Review, "Val Link and Graduates: A Platinum Retrospective," the Boardwalk Gallery of Goldsmiths; by Beverly Penn American Craft, April/May issue, Vol. 51, No. 8, pp. 40–41; featured artist in "Portfolio"
1991: Metalsmith, winter issue, Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 48; Review of solo exhibition at Two Friends Gallery; by Claire Holiday
1982: American Craft, April/May issue, Vol. 42, No. 2, p. 72; work reproduced in "Gallery" section
Selected exhibitions
2008: "Framing: The Art of Jewelry;" Curated by Ellen Lupton; Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, OR SOFA - New York; Represented by Mobilia "Yuma Art Symposium Presenters' Exhibition," in Conjunction with Yuma 28 Art Symposium, Yuma Art Center, Yuma AZ "Summer Faculty Exhibition," Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinbury, TN
2007: "Jewelry From Paintings and Architecture," Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA "Framing: The Art of Jewelry;" Curated by Ellen Lupton; SOFA- Chicago Three3/ Diane Falkenhagen, Feature exhibition, Goldesberry Gallery, Houston, TX
2006: "Representations: A Decade of Work by Diane Falkenhagen," National Ornamental Metals Museum, Memphis, TN "Annual Jewelry and Metal Arts Invitational," Goldesberry Gallery, Houston, TX "Polished: Three Decades of Metal at UNT," UNT Artspace FW, Ft. Worth, TX "100 Brooches," Pacini Lubel Gallery, Seattle, WA "Metalisms: Signature Works in Jewelry and Metalsmithing," Center for Visual Art, Metropolitan State College of Denver, CO
2005: "Metals 2005," Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC "100 Brooches," Velvet da Vinci Gallery, San Francisco, CA, and traveling to other venues "Juncture: Physical and Conceptual Connections in Contemporary Jewelry," curated by Sandra Zilker, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX "Annual Jewelry and Metal Arts Invitational," Goldesberry Gallery, Houston, TX Spring Faculty Exhibition, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC Summer Faculty Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2004: "Metals and Otherwise: Jewelry Media Connections," Florida Society of Craftsmen, St. Petersburg "Annual Jewelry and Metal Arts Invitational," Goldesberry Gallery, Houston, TX
2003: "big/LITTLE: Jewelers & Sculptors Making it in Metal," Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA "Exhibition in Motion III," SNAG Conference, San Francisco, CA "Transformation 3: Small Metals and Jewelry, Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder's Prize," National Ornamental Metals Museum, Memphis, TN "Botanical Jewelry," Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, Massachusetts SOFA - Chicago, Representation by Mobilia Gallery
2002: "Diane Falkenhagen, Poetic Portrayals," solo show, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA SOFA-New York; Representation by Susan Cummins Gallery Summer Faculty Invitational Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN Solo Exhibition, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
2001: "Diane Falkenhagen," solo show, Sybaris Gallery, Royal Oak, MI "Color on Metal," OXOXO Gallery, Baltimore, MD and Stone Harbor, NJ "Transformation 3: Small Metals and Jewelry, Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder's Prize," Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA SOFA-Chicago; Representation by Susan Cummins Gallery "Alaska Juried Sculpture Exhibition," Bunnell Street Gallery, Homer, AK
2000: "Diane Falkenhagen," solo show, University of Houston–Clear Lake, Houston, TX "Attitude and Action! North American Figurative Jewelry," University of Central England School of Jewellery, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, England; The DESIGNyard, Dublin, Ireland "Current Views," Pratt Fine Arts at COCA, Seattle, WA
1999: "The Shadow of Memory," Group Exhibition, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
1998: "The Bolo Show," Artables Gallery, Houston, TX
1997: "Metals, Etc.," Lubbock Fine Arts Center, TX "Hard Evidence," Southwest Craft Center, San Antonio, TX "The Environmental Bead," Brookfield Craft Center, Brookfield, CT
1995: "Jewelry: Varied Visions," Artables Gallery, Houston, TX "Women's Work," Appalachian Center For Crafts, Smithville, TN
1994: "Brooch: The Subject," Tempe Arts Center, Tempe, AZ
1992: "Contemporary Texas Art Jewelry," Artisans Gallery, Austin, TX "Materials Hard and Soft," Center For The Visual Arts, Denton, TX "Regional Craft Biennial," Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
1991: "Metals Expressions II," Appalachian Center For Crafts, Smithville, TN and National Ornamental Metals Museum, Memphis, TN "Val Link And Graduates: Platinum Retrospective," Boardwalk Gallery, Houston, TX
1990: "Diane Falkenhagen," Solo Show, Two Friends Gallery, Galveston, TX "National Metals Invitational," Mesa Arts Center, Mesa AZ "Materials Hard and Soft," Center for the Visual Arts, Denton, TX
1989: "The Wichita National '89," Wichita Art Association, Wichita, KS "Jewelry Today," The Joan Michilin Collection, New York, NY "United States Metal," San Francisco State University "Art Jewelry," University of Dallas, Haggar Gallery, Irving, TX "Diverse Directions: A Southwest Fiber and Metal Invitational," Pima Com. College, Tucson, AZ
1988: "University of North Texas Alumni Exhibition," Bell Plaza Gallery, Dallas, TX "Great West Metal Show," Northern Arizona University Art Gallery, Flagstaff, AZ "Materials Hard and Soft," Center for the Visual Arts, Denton, TX "S.N.A.G. Earring Competition," The Joan Michilin Collection, New York, NY "Review - Ten Years of Women and Their Work," One Congress Plaza, Austin, TX "Made in the Shade," Baton Rouge Gallery in City Park, Baton Rouge, LA (Honorable Mention) "Spotlight ' 88: Southeast/Southwest Crafts," Moody Gallery of Art, Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
1987: "The Small Show," Lawndale Art and Performance Center, Houston, TX "Materials Hard and Soft," Center for the Visual Arts, Denton, TX "The Ostiano Collection," Gallery 99, Bay Harbor, FL
1986: "Contemporary Metals U.S.A. II,"Downey Museum of Art, Downey, CA
1984: "Modern Metal Show," Sarah Spurgeon Gallery of Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA "31 Texas Artists," Annie Hawkins Gallery, Houston, TX
1983: "American Metalwork in Kyoto," Kyoto Municipal Museum of Traditional Industry, Kyoto, Japan "Texas Designer/Craftsmen," University of North Texas, Denton, TX "Artists in Residence," Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
1982: "First National Crafts,"Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX "Recent Works - Diane Falkenhagen and Bill Hall," University of Houston at Clear Lake City, Houston, TX "Texas Designer/Craftsmen 1982," Texas A. & M. University, College Station, TX (Best of Show)
1981: "Masters of Fine Art," Group thesis exhibition, Sarah Campbell Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston, Houston, TX
1980: "Inside Texas Borders," Corpus Christi State Univ., TX "80 Texans," Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX "Tradition and Change," University of Houston at Clear Lake City, Houston, TX "Selected Works: Texas Designer/Craftsmen," University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX
1979: "Women In Sight: New Art in Texas," Dougherty Cultural Arts Center, Austin
1978: "Exhibitionists," Adelle M.Taylor Gallery, Dallas, TX
1977: "17th Texas Crafts Exhibition," Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas, TX
Teaching
2008: Summer Faculty, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN Workshop Presenter for V.A.S.E., a statewide Visual Arts Scholastic Event, Texas Art Education Association, University of Houston–Clear Lake, Houston, TX
2007- 2008: Full-time Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Houston, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Houston, TX Workshop Presenter for V.A.S.E., a statewide Visual Arts Scholastic Event, Texas Art Education Association, University of Houston–Clear Lake, Houston, TX
2007: Workshop Presenter 92nd St. Y, New York, NY Workshop Presenter Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA Workshop Presenter, Bowling Green State University, OH
2006 - 2007: Affiliate Artist, teaching Intermediate Jewelry/Metalsmithing, University of Houston, TX
2006: Workshop Presenter, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
2005: Spring Faculty, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC Summer Faculty, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2004: Workshop Presenter for University of Wisconsin at Green Bay
2002: Master Artist and Workshop Presenter, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA Summer Faculty, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN Workshop Presenter, Lazard School of Contemporary Jewelry, Mexico City, Mexico
2000: Workshop Presenter, University of Houston, for the Houston Metal Arts Guild, Houston, TX Workshop Presenter, University of Alaska Fairbanks, for the Alaska Metal Arts Guild
1999: Workshop Presenter, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PN
1998: Workshop Presenter, Southwest School of Art and Craft, San Antonio, TX Workshop Presenter, Appalachian Center For Crafts, Smithville, TN Adjunct Art Faculty (Jewelry and Metalsmithing), Houston Community College, Houston, TX
1981 - 1992: Adjunct Art Faculty (Jewelry and Metalsmithing), Galveston College, Galveston, TX
1983: Workshop Presenter, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Other Professional Activities
2008: Presenter on the topic of her work, Yuma 29 Art Symposium, Yuma, AZ Honoree for the School of Visual Arts and Design; University of North Texas Alumni Appreciation Day Juror for V.A.S.E., a statewide competition for Visual Arts Scholastic Event, Texas Art Education Association, University of Houston–Clear Lake, TX Panelist on Professional Art Practices; Houston Area Fibers Association, Houston, TX
2007: Co-Chair with Sandra Zilker for the 2010 SNAG Conference, Going To Extremes, in Houston, TX Juror for V.A.S.E., a statewide competition for Visual Arts Scholastic Event, Texas Art Education Association, University of Houston–Clear Lake, TX
2006: Juror for V.A.S.E., a statewide competition for Visual Arts Scholastic Event, Texas Art Education Association, University of Houston–Clear Lake, TX Published written review of "Hanging in Balance: 42 Contemporary Necklaces," Metalsmith magazine; Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 49 Jury Coordinator and Entry Organizer for Metalsmith magazine's "2006 Exhibition in Print"
2005: Published written review of Charles Lewton Brain's 2004 solo exhibition at Fleury Gallery in Houston, TX; Metalsmith magazine; Vol 25, No. 3
2004: Speaker, Colorado Metalsmithing Association's annual conference, Salida, CO Guest Speaker, Houston Metals Arts Guild, Center for Contemporary Crafts, Houston, TX Published written review of "Beyond Ornament: Contemporary Jewelry From The Helen Williams Drutt Collection," Metalsmith magazine; Vol. 24, No. 5, p. 55
2002: Speaker on the topic of her work, Northwest Jewelry/Metals Symposium, Seattle, WA
2000 - 2003: S.N.A.G. Nominations and Elections Committee Member, Chair 2002-2003
2000: Recipient of Alaska State Council on the Arts Career Development Grant
1999 - 2002: Founding member and Vice President, Alaska Metal Arts Guild
1996-2000: Board of Directors, S.N.A.G. (Society of North American Goldsmiths)
1998-2000: Metalsmith magazine Editorial Advisory Committee
1995: Visiting Artist, Appalachian Center For Crafts, Smithville, TN
1994: Visiting Artist, Glassell School of Art, Houston, TX
1990: Juror, "Protégé Exhibition," Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX Guest Lecturer, Gallery Guild of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX
1989: Juror and Co-Producer, "Emerging Artists - S.N.A.G. ' 89,"a multimedia presentation presented at the Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference, San Antonio, TX Juror, "1989 Student Exhibition," Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston, Houston, TX
1988: Guest Curator, "Something For Nothing," exhibit of works by contemporary American folk artist, Felix Fox Harris and photos of the artist by Keith Carter, Rosenberg Library, Galveston, TX
1986: Guest Curator, "Mainstreams in Metal," an invitational exhibition of works by 13 nationally acclaimed metal artists, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX