Allison Rietta (b. 1969) lives and works in Toronto, Canada. She is an abstract painter, workingpredominately in watercolours and acrylics. Allison's abstract paintings and collages explore mystic geometry, symbols and patterns, working predominately in watercolours and acrylics. Her work is informed by her graphic design background, and her spiritual practice of sound and meditation. Drawing on the mystic sound of singing bowls, her pieces exude melodic vibrations in which colours transcend the visual into the auditory. She sees a relationship with the healing properties of sound and geometric rhythms, and my work with the sound bowls overlaps with her geometric artwork. She blends the inner and outer character traits of spirituality with the relationship between simple shapes and forms. Her fascination with geometric shapes—especially the circle—holds a spiritual representation for her, as it can represents both a sound or a vibration. The rich process and careful way each circle layers, yet manages to confuse which layer sits on another is visually absorbing, and conveys a meditative optical quality.Allison's work has been exhibited in Toronto, New York and London, UK. She waslonglisted twice for the Jackson’s Painting Prize UK, and most recently has been shortlisted for the Visual Art Open International Emerging Artist Award.

Allison Rietta is a freelance Creative Director, and founder of Diagonal, a brand / design /strategy agency based in Toronto, working with brands worldwide. With a strong focus on brand strategy and creative direction, Allison helps define and shape the brands of international clients—large and small—in London, Milan, Dubai and Toronto. She believes that to create a concept, you need to be able to connect the dots. To draw inspiration from everything around you—all the places, experiences and variety of disciplines. In her 25+ years in design and communications, she has drawn on a unique wealth of experiences that allows her to connect the dots in ways that few others can. Allison has led the creative development of marketing communications for leading developer and asset manager Verdion, UK. She also created the brand identity and website campaign for Scott McGillivray, award-winning host and executive producer of hit television series Income Property. Other important work includes brand strategy and design for British Telecom, HSBC, Barclaycard International, Brookfield Place, and SickKids Foundation.