Born in Southern California, Diane grew up surf fishing, creating potions, and drawing incessantly. At age 12, she and her family traveled to Japan, planting the seed for a lifelong interest in cross-cultural understanding. As an undergraduate at UCSC, she discovered her deep connection to forests, feminist thinking, and social justice – her work continues to be informed by the cross-pollination of these elements. Jacobs uses materials that surprise and stimulate associative and visceral reactions in an effort to interpret society and initiate change. Through her creative process she examines and conveys the complexities, contradictions and injustices of our world. Her intention is to spark curiosity and use that light to ignite further self-reflection and action. She received her MFA in printmaking from San Francisco State University in 1996, Leo D. Stillwell Graduate Scholarship (1995), James D. Phelan Award (printmaking 1997), Kala Art Institute Fellowship (1997), Women’s Studio Workshop Artist Book Residency Grant (1999), Artadia award (2000), Signal Fire Residencies (2013 & 2017), RACC Project Grant (2005, 2008, 2012 & 2019), RACC Professional Development Grant (2009, 2014), Career Opportunity Grant Oregon Arts Commission (2010) with The Ford Family Foundation (2015 & 2020), PLAYA artist residency (2016 & 2024) ), Kala Art Institute Parent Residency Award (2017), Golden Spot Award – Leland Iron Works Artist-in-Residence (2018), Pine Meadow Ranch Artist-in-Residence (2019), In Cahoots Artist Residency (2019), Puffin Foundation Grant (2022), Township 10 2024 residency. Diane lives in Portland, Oregon. Her prints, sculptural work, and artist books are in the Portland Art Museum, The Getty, and SFMOMA among others.
Diane Jacobs
