FAMILY PORTRAITS IN DNA
To walk down the bedroom corridor is to encounter an immersive group of paintings with a novel approach to the family portrait. The luminescent panels adorning the walls explore how we come to be who we are. Each panel portrays the artist’s relationship to a family member on a single chromosome. Chromosome-by-chromosome, these subtly colored paintings offer a nuanced mapping of where the artist’s DNA overlaps with family members, transforming genetic data into a deeply personal form of storytelling.
The recurring elements bring unity, calm, and an embracing quality of family connection to the space. The pencil notations and the free-cut canvas panels impart a sense of discovery into the work. The installation's linear structure and regularity show the science and process behind genetic genealogy. This immersive arrangement of artworks transforms a transitional domestic space, giving visitors walking down the hallway the experience of walking into a painting.
Diane Rosenblum’s influences include the data visualization work of Edward Tufte and artists Donald Judd, Robert Irwin, Agnes Martin, and Barnett Newman.
Praise for Family Portraits in DNA:
“An artistic high point of the house. [Diane] made the light-filled hallway, although a difficult space, a cool and meditative corridor, blending the personal (DNA) with a refined, subtle, minimalist palette that is thought provoking—like having Barnett Newman doing someone’s portrait in stripes.” — Robert Flynn Johnson, Curator Emeritus, SF Fine Art Museum.
ABOUT DIANE ROSENBLUM
“As an artist, I aim to touch the vibratory edge of what it is to be alive. Working with heart and mind in concert, I look to create a striking and resonant visual experience for each person who encounters my art.” — Diane Rosenblum
Diane Rosenblum, an artist born and raised in San Francisco, believes that living with art grounds us, strengthens our connections to each other, and expands our sense of possibility. Her art, rooted in her truth, opens her viewers to joy.
Diane’s work is widely exhibited and is held in the permanent collections of 20 museums, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Albertina in Vienna, Austria. Her work has been prominently displayed in many commercial buildings, including the entry lobbies of One Market, the Bank of America headquarters in San Francisco, and the Oakland Gensler office.
PAINTING COMMISSIONS
Diane enjoys working closely with collectors, designers, and art consultants to integrate museum-quality pieces into thoughtfully designed spaces. She is passionate about creating personalized works that reflect each client's unique ancestry, DNA, and family relationships. Her paintings can be customized in color, size, presentation, and finish to complement individual environments and personal narratives.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Download professional room photography here.
CREDITS
Artwork by Diane Rosenblum | @dianerosenblum | dianerosenblum.com
Photography by Brad Knipstein | @rbradleyphoto | knipstein.com
Rendering by Shelley Anixter
Photo credits are required in all contexts. All social media use must link back to the designer and photographer’s social media profiles.
KEY VENDORS
The Nora Track Lighting System: by MAR Lighting: When seeing art, we usually think about the art without considering how it’s illuminated. The Nora track lighting system, designed by Rob Garcia of MAR Lighting, lends this installation the experience of encountering the work as one would in a museum. The Nora track system eliminates unevenness of the bright and dark spaces along the corridor, allowing me to emphasize particular paintings in a fashion that fits well with this domestic space.
Background Wall Color: The inspiration for the green-grey paint used as a background to the installation was a visit to Cezanne’s studio in Aix-en-Provence. This neutral color, the canvas behind the canvas, brings forward the paintings in their best light. For viewers who may be interested, this particular paint is Benjamin Moore’s Wall Street in an eggshell finish.
PUBLICIST
Kim Gonthier
DAVIS GONTHIER
415.798.7142
kim@davisgonthier.com
Instagram: @davisgonthier