What Happens When Light Becomes the Language of Art | Diana Pan

In this interview for our Arts to Hearts Project, multidisciplinary artist Diana Pan shares insights into her creative process, the central role of light in her art, and how she bridges the past and future with her innovative approach. She opens up about the influences that shaped her vision across the UK, Russia, and New York and how experimentation with materials fuels her ever-evolving practice. Diana also reflects on her transformation as an artist, revealing how art has become necessary in her life, not just a passion. She is an artist who seeks to connect people through the universal themes of light, emotion, and discovery.

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https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

Diana Pan is a New York-based multidisciplinary artist whose work seamlessly merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary digital innovation. Educated in the UK, Russia, and New York, her diverse artistic background informs her distinctive approach, where she explores the interplay of light, shadow, and texture to convey profound themes of connection, transformation, and human emotion. Diana’s art is an evocative fusion of graphic design, painting, sculpture, and digital media, offering immersive visual experiences that transcend cultural and artistic boundaries. Her process involves layering materials like acrylics, resin, and reflective elements alongside digital enhancements to create pieces that feel alive and ever-evolving. Whether through intricate textures on canvas or mesmerizing video art, she aims to blur the line between fantasy and reality, inviting viewers to discover beauty in both the seen and unseen.

1.   Your work beautifully blends traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation. What draws you to this fusion, and how does it shape your creative process?  

I believe that at the intersection of opposites, traditional and modern, physical and digital, something truly unique and universal emerges. This fusion isn’t just about technique; it’s about creating a dialogue between past and future, craftsmanship and innovation, permanence and transformation. Blending traditional materials like acrylic, resin, and textured surfaces with digital techniques challenges me to push artistic boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to craftsmanship. It’s an ongoing exploration, balancing control with spontaneity and structure with fluidity. This tension brings energy to my work that makes it feel alive, ever-evolving, and deeply engaging. More importantly, this combination raises a timeless dialogue between people. Art that exists between these worlds speaks to different generations, cultures, and perspectives. It’s a language that resonates beyond its medium, sparking connections and emotions that feel both personal and universal. That’s what drives me, the challenge of creating something that bridges time and experience, something that lingers and invites conversation long after it’s been seen.

Light is more than just illumination, it’s a force of transformation, revelation, and connection.My work is about capturing that essence, using it not only to define space but to evoke emotion and meaning.

Diana Pan

2. Light is a central theme in your art, symbolizing human virtues. How did this philosophy develop, and how do you hope viewers connect with it?     

I find a divine meaning in expressing light as a central theme in my work. Light is more than just a visual element; it embodies moral virtues like love, kindness, freedom, and happiness, which are the very essence of what connects us as human beings. In a world increasingly driven by rapid economic growth, technological advancements, and innovation, we often lose sight of these fundamental values. For me, painting with light is a way to reignite that connection, a reminder that beneath all differences, we share something deeply universal. Light has the power to unify, heal, and reveal truth, and I hope that when people experience my work, they feel that sense of belonging and shared humanity. In a time when we are becoming more fragmented, I believe art can serve as a bridge, bringing us back to what truly matters. My hope is that my work sparks a moment of reflection, a pause in the rush of modern life, where viewers can reconnect with themselves and with others through something as simple yet profound as light.

3.   Your creative journey spans prestigious institutions in the UK, Russia, and New York. How have these diverse influences shaped your vision?  

My diverse background spanning the UK, Russia, and New York has given me a deep appreciation for the endless ways art can be used to express, communicate, and be heard. Experiencing different cultures, artistic traditions, and philosophies has broadened my perspective, allowing me to explore new techniques while staying true to my own vision. More than anything, this journey has helped me reconnect with myself in a stronger and more truthful way. Art is not just a passion for me, it is a necessity. It is the most honest form of expression, a way to translate emotions and ideas that words often fail to capture. This understanding has given me the confidence to push boundaries, experiment fearlessly, and create work that resonates on a deeper level. Each place I’ve studied and lived in has shaped me, but at the core, my art remains a reflection of something deeply personal and universal: a search for meaning, connection, and light.

4.  You explore a wide range of materials and techniques. Is there one medium that feels most natural to you, or do you thrive in constant experimentation? 

I thrive in constant experimentation. It’s an essential part of my creative process. Each material and technique offers a unique way to express an idea, and I love the challenge of discovering how different elements interact. Resin, acrylic, reflective surfaces, different pigments, ink, and moulding paste all have their own language, and combining them allows me to create work that feels immersive and multidimensional. Currently, I am working mostly with acrylic, resin, and various pigments, exploring their depth, texture, and luminosity. I also incorporate ink and moulding paste to add layers of movement and dimension. However, my practice is always evolving, and I will definitely be introducing new materials to my work soon. Pushing boundaries and experimenting with new elements keeps my art dynamic and ensures that each piece feels fresh, alive, and deeply engaging.

5. Your work blurs the line between fantasy and reality. What stories or emotions do you hope your audience discovers in your pieces?

I want my audience to step into a world where fantasy and reality intertwine, where light reveals something more profound than what is initially seen. My work is not just about visual impact. It’s about evoking emotion, reflection, and connection. Each piece carries a sense of wonder, transformation, and introspection. I hope viewers find themselves in the art, feeling moments of clarity, nostalgia, or even a quiet sense of longing. My work often explores universal human emotions, such as love, resilience, freedom, and self-discovery, themes that transcend language and culture. Ultimately, I want my pieces to ignite curiosity to make people pause, question, and feel. Whether they see a personal story reflected in the textures and contrasts or experience a fleeting moment of awe, my goal is to create art that lingers, resonates, and sparks a dialogue between the viewer and the unseen.

I’m fascinated by contrast, light and shadow, structure and fluidity, strength and fragility—because that’s where depth is found, both in art and in life.

Diana Pan

6.   Art for you is more than just visuals—it’s a journey of self-discovery. What’s one transformative moment in your own creative path that shaped who you are today? 

One of the most transformative moments in my creative journey was realizing that art is not just my passion; it’s my necessity. I once questioned if my work truly connected with people, but through experimentation and pushing boundaries, I found that my creativity is my voice, my way of making sense of the world. Working with resin and reflective surfaces was a turning point, seeing how light interacted with my materials taught me that art isn’t just about what’s on the surface, but how it changes with perception, movement, and time. That realization deepened my connection to my work, reinforcing that my art is about more than visuals; it’s about feeling, experiencing, and discovering something beyond the seen.

Diana Pan’s story shows the transformative power of art. Her fearless exploration of materials and mediums reflects a greater mission—to create work that captivates the eye and speaks to the soul. She invites us to pause, feel, and connect with something beyond the surface through each piece.

At the Arts to Hearts Project, we celebrate artists like Diana, who remind us that art is more than just a practice—it’s a way of being, a way of remembering what truly matters, and a way of sharing light in a world that needs it. To learn more about Diana, click the following links to visit her profile.

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