Diana Boulay (born November 22, 1946) is a Canadian artist that creates sculptures using recycled plastics and sometimes other found objects or materials. She received her B.F.A. from the University of Quebec at Montreal in 1981.
Boulay has been creating recycled plastic sculptures for over 45 years. She washes them and sorts them by color, creating monochrome scenarios by merely interlocking the objects without glue, support frames or paint, she sometimes uses plastic covered wire to join the objects in order to make her statements.
Boulay recycles faithfully; even her packing cases are discarded suitcases, used rolling cabinets and pizza carrying cases. Many of her acrylic showcases are "rejects" from manufacturers, aquariums, terrariums and/or other containers she finds at flea markets.
Boulay has received award from the Canada Council (1987), the Quebec Ministry of Cultural Affairs, (1984), and the E. T. Greenshields Foundation (1981).
Thomas Frick of "Art in America" reviewed her work in the January 1988 issue, commenting that "What strikes one most about Boulay-Dube's constructions is their playfulness and their paradoxical formal and material purity. So far as I can discern, they entirely avoid any kind of irony or commentary that would limit their imaginative strength."
Other reviews include:
"...One would belittle the artistic nature of Boulay if all one focussed on was the politics. The way she pieces her works together is sheer genius. The single-toned towns of expression are breathtaking. One can't help but be sucked in by their singularity and power. Still, you can theorize all you want about Boulay but it doesn't compare to seeing her works. They may be interesting, philosophical a political ideas, but more importantly her work is art. Each piece is an enrapturing entity and screams to be seen. Even if you have no interest in the theory, the singular purpose is worth it. It is like taking a series of serious ideas and putting them in the context of a theme park. Fun, yet thought provoking.
"...It's easy to be suspicious of these collections of found objects, and to question their artistic merit. Boulay makes it look too easy, too pat. But in a sense, her work updates Joseph Cornell's, the naive American artist (1902–72), whocollected butterfly wings, polished rooks and other beautiful objects in hand crafted wood boxes. Boulay is simply working with more contemporary materials..." , " ...Mostly what these works elicit, however, is a feeling of horror. Who produces all this plastic garbage, and who needs it? Still,even as the artist suggests we ought to be more discerning consumers.
"...Many of her works address the problems of animal rights and global unity as well as environmental issues with an air of experience unmatched by most nouveau-environmentalists..."
" The work of the artist demonstrates that humor and fantasy can suggest answers to complex questions about society and culture, and the ability of art to address these, that often elude more serious efforts."
"...La plasticidad que alcanza los montajes de esta artista son de una imagen cautivadora y de una genialidad exquisita."
