SmithDavidson Gallery highlights the work of Diana Korn, a German artist whose practice centres on questions of value, perception, and contemporary life. Before fully dedicating herself to her artistic career, Korn worked in interior design, a background that continues to inform her sensitivity to space, material, and form. Over time, she developed a clear artistic language shaped around a central question: what matters.
Korn works primarily with mixed media sculpture, often combining reflective surfaces, text, and sculptural form. She is drawn to materials that allow for layered meanings, both visually and conceptually. Mirrors play a recurring role in her work, inviting viewers into a direct relationship with the object while subtly challenging ideas of beauty, identity, and self-image. Through fractures, reflections, and carefully placed words, her sculptures encourage moments of pause and self-awareness.
Pop Culture Pill (2025)
Pop Art influences are evident throughout Korn’s practice, particularly in her use of visual immediacy and references to consumer culture. Familiar forms and polished finishes initially attract the viewer, while closer inspection reveals underlying tensions. This approach is especially present in her Art Pill series, where sculptural objects inspired by medication reflect on desire, consumption, and the contradictions of modern lifestyles.
Although early in her career, Korn’s work has already been presented internationally. She values direct, honest reactions from viewers and sees them as essential to the meaning of her work. Looking ahead, she continues to explore how societal change, technology, and personal responsibility intersect, with a focus on creating work that remains relevant over time.
