October 24 — November 28, 2026
A Diana is a Diana is a Diana
Jennie Ottinger
Conduit Gallery is honored to present a new body of work by San Francisco-based artist, Jennie Ottinger in the Conduit Gallery Project Room. The nine oil on panel paintings and series of small watercolors explore all things Diana.
A Diana is a Diana is a Diana is a reference to the line “..Rose is a rose is a rose.” from the 1913 Gertrude Stein poem Sacred Emily. In the poem, Stein’s use of repetition challenge perceptions of meaning and identity. With deft wit and humor, Jennie Ottinger employs this strategy visually depicting the environs and stylistic accoutrement of Dianas throughout history.
States the artist, “There are so many ways people are categorized to better understand how society works: gender, race, income, astrological sign, color theory subseason. Many are arbitrary (which I understand is exactly what a Libra with a moon in Taurus and Gemini rising would say) but offer unexpected lenses through which to understand the subject. Selecting icons named Diana offered insights into these fascinating women’s identities. They are similar in that they are strong, stylish, singular women with outsized influence. Does this have anything to do with their name? It’s very possible. The oldest Diana in the group is a literal goddess. Studies show that people are treated differently based on their name. Assuming the name Diana implies the strength and beauty of a Roman goddess, subsequent Dianas become deeply interested in aesthetics and beauty despite their differences in style.’
Jennie Ottinger was raised in Massachusetts and currently lives in San Francisco, CA. She has exhibited in the California Bay Area, New York, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and London. Reviews of her work have appeared in Art in America, ArtSlant, Its Nice That, Hyperallergic, Artsy, and Huffington Post. Her work was featured in New American Paintings. This is her fifth show with Conduit Gallery. With loose brushstrokes and an element of humor, her work explores themes of class, tradition, gender, and social dynamics.