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Sarah Krepp

SARAH KREPP's paintings, based on the concept of "White Noise," have always employed imagery of great activity. Containing an enormous amount of data and many layers of paint with many small found objects sewn into the canvas, she creates a narrative of all that passes one's eye throughout any given day. The artist visually articulates the idea that by living in such a visually-oriented world, we respond to the daily stimulus on several levels of consciousness.

In 2009 Krepp augmented all of these concepts by addressing "Blindsightedness" in her work. She covers passages from scientific charts, maps, musical scores, dance diagrams, game board pieces and tire treads among many other references. The surface of her work looks as if it is sprouting hairs and challenges the viewer to determine whether he or she is seeing painted lines or threads. The complex tactility of the paintings brings with it the realization that there are numerous ways to see what the artist wishes us to experience.

Alan Artner, Chicago Tribune, March 13, 2009:

"For seven years the artist has created paintings with a tremendous amount of visual data. At first she called them "White Noise." Now, in an overwelming exhibition at the Roy Boyd Gallery, they have become a "Blindsighted" series. But the titles make no difference. The operative principle still is: More is more. And these pieces exceed in elaborateness even the complex tactility the work had in 2005.

Often working within the stability of a square format further stabilized by a grid, Krepp covers passages from scientific charts, maps, musical scores and dance diagrams with tubes wrapped with thread, game board pieces and sprays of tire rubber: The sprigs, which burst from the surface, occasionally are balanced by holes that burrow into it. The entire surface may also sprout "hairs" that bristle one by one and create waves when seen together.

A group of works on paper present a single sprig elaborated by drawing on each sheet. They are like letters from some unruly, indecipherable alphabet. Krepp has created, after all, a kind of alternative language from bits of communicative systems. Smaller works here seem to (but do not actually) present individual components. Either way, the results are optically thrilling."