Diana portrays long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, who became known for her record-breaking swim around Manhattan in 1975. In Opie’s portrait, the athlete meets the viewer with a steady, determined gaze. Years spent outdoors are evident in the sun-marked skin, emphasised by two pale lines running down the torso where a swimsuit would normally cover the body. Diana’s strong physique also speaks of a life lived, carrying its history both on and within the body.

This photograph belongs to a series of portraits made around 2012, in which Opie returned to the tradition of the classical studio portrait. As in many of her best-known works, the sitter is depicted with dignity, presence and individuality. The photograph draws on a long history of portraiture while also expanding ideas about who is represented and how.

Throughout her career, Opie has used portraiture as a tool for visibility and recognition. She photographs people as individuals, while also engaging with broader stories about identity, lived experience and society. Her portraits resist stereotypes and instead emphasise the complexity and uniqueness of each person.