Collection of Artists Statements
Memory Series
Memory is critical to all aspects of life. Memory provides the foundation for our understanding of the world and for our sense of personal identity. We are who we are because of what we learn and remember. Without memory we could not walk, speak, read, or write. We would have difficulty imagining the future. In an attempt to understand the numerous thought-provoking theories and processes related to human memory, I create sculptures, collages, reliefs, and large-scale installation works.
The selection of works reflects my response and artistic expression of concepts, publications, and theories of notable scientists' work related to human memory, whom I had the opportunity to meet and interview during a sabbatical from University of the Arts, as well as other sources. Although each scientist introduced distinct theories regarding the human memory process, many of their concepts overlap, intertwine, and originate from similar sources.
For description of each concept see Memory Expressions 2026 Diane Pepe Brochure in Memory Series Section.
Sculptures/Archive
Journey Series is a group of mixed media sculptures strongly influenced by a trip to Kochi, Japan. Qualities I found significant within the nature of the people I met and their culture are reflected in the juxtaposition of two elements: the wooden/brass structure that is ordered and strong yet delicate in nature and the river stones that represent a powerful force, constant movement and boundless energy of their spirit.
Their sense of order, containment and quiet presentation is reflected in the wood/brass structures. Contained within the quiet structure is an incredible energy of great strength portrayed by the organic movement of the rocks. Although these qualities appear opposite, they actually live in great harmony, strengthening and celebrating each other's existence.
This concept has shifted to a more universal investigation of the dichotomy between the emotional/passionate side of human nature and the ordered/structured elements that we engage to control or order these emotions. This is seen in the larger scale works, Transition and Center.
Drawings/Collages
Cell Drawings studies were drawn specifically for a competition for the cover of a leading scientific journal, Cell Stem Cell. The artwork highlights: the heterogeneity of biliary epithelial cells within the bile duct of a hepatic portal tract from an written by Dr. Brian Pepe-Mooney. The journal was published July 03, 2019, Volume 25, Issue 1. The layered cut-paper collages are "discoveries." They relate to light, movement, subtleties, and inner conversations. The images begin as drawings or prints of drawings that are cut up and layered onto other drawings/prints to reveal new and exciting relationships, qualities of light, and dynamic structures. New ideas and meanings emerge from these discoveries. The formal structures reveal, hide and protect, or order the qualities that exist within. The excitement and joy is in the discovery and the emerging conversations.
Movement Drawings are original color pencil works that express a sense of movement. They are among the images scanned and digitally printed on paper, acrylic plates and discs for a majority of the memory collages and sculptures.
Installations
The Installation of an exhibit with both 3 dimensional sculptures and 2 dimensional collages create an exciting interaction between the viewer and the two distinct mediums. The interplay invites a dynamic interchange and expands the depth of an artistic conversation.
The 2-dimensional collages engage the viewer in an intimate relationship with the work. One is drawn into a close dialogue with the subtleties of the softly drawn images inside the hard-edge, cut-paper elements.
When observing larger scale 3-dimensional sculptures the dialogue becomes more distant. Ones grasp of the entire piece requires viewing from farther away. The interaction with the materials is on a more physical and separate level.
When both drawings and sculptures are displayed in the same space the participant is engaged in distinct ways that broadens the depth of the conversation. Human interactions and conversations are multifaceted and occur on various levels and range between distance and intimacy.
Window on Broad, Echo 12 installation relates to the fundamental concepts explored in the Japan Series. This piece attempts to articulate the more universal investigation of the dichotomy between the emotional/passionate side of human nature portrayed by the rocks and the ordered/structured elements that we engage to control or order these emotions, portrayed by the tall wooden structures.