Over the past several years, I have been involved in the study of the scientific processes of human memory as a basis for my artistic explorations. In order to learn more about this exciting field, I interviewed leading scientists engaged in memory research and encountered numerous thought provoking theories and processes. In an attempt to understand these concepts, I created drawings, collages, sculptures, and large-scale installations.
Initially, I considered memory to be a reflection of our experiences. As I became more involved in research into the scientific processes of human memory, I realized that there are numerous different theories developed by many renowned professionals. The pieces on view pay homage to a selection of scientists I interviewed. The works attempt to express my understanding of an aspect of each Doctor’s writings, research, and theories.
This piece is expressive of the fragmentation of perception and memory and an homage to Dr. Eric Kandel. Dr. Kandel’s writings, lectures, and personal interview were instrumental in my involvement in the relationship between science and art and memory.
While experiencing an episode or an event, only parts or fragments of this event enter into our awareness and are actually perceived. Our brains solidify these fragments through a process called encoding. Once the memory fragments are encoded, they are stored in various parts of the brain. Upon recall, these fragments engage with the present and reformulate, to re-create the remembered event. The relief is composed of cut pieces of archival prints mounted on wooden blocks. These cut pieces are from an archival print of a drawing that represents an initial event. The individual blocks mounted together, express the idea that we store a memory in fragments.
This series is related to Dr. Daniel Schacter’s theory of episodic memory retrieval. The details of an episodic memory are stored as fragments in various parts of the brain. During the retrieval process, they are reactivated, combine with the present, and integrated into a new coherent event. "Memory is a constructive process."
The base images are archival prints from original drawings that represent original episodes or episodic events. The translucent printed acrylic plates, acrylic blocks or discs are fragments from the original image, often suspended by stainless steel pins, that are reconstructed together in relation to their base image. Each work expresses that a recalled memory is a new construction - a vital and active process.
Dr. Ken Norman spoke of memory as an event. He referenced Jeff Zack’s research and article, Event Segmentation. As we approach an episode, we encounter it as an event with a beginning, middle and end with event boundaries that indicate when the memory begins and ends. This memory then is stored as an entity, depending upon the length of the event or its significance. It is in a hierarchical structure, first in the hippocampus, and then in various parts of the brain. When we recall this memory, we recall it as an entity.
The collages attempt to express my interpretation of memory and event boundaries.
Diane Pepe is a multidisciplinary artist whose abstract works, drawings, collages, and complex multimedia constructions, are based on concepts that mirror her response to the environment and personal experiences. Reoccurring themes include light, architectural structures, and most recently, research into the scientific processes of perception, vision and human memory. A reductionist approach has been present throughout her creative process.
Pepe exhibited nationally in numerous venues such as: Marin MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art, Novato, CA, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Brownsville, TX, The Woodmere Museum, Chestnut Hill, PA, State Museum of PA, Harrisburg PA, and Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ.
She has been recipient of numerous grants including the AIE Fellowship funded by the NEA with support by The Getty Center in the Arts, Washington D.C.; The PA Council on the Arts Special Projects Grant; The National Science Foundation and PSU Ford Foundation Research grants. Pepe’s work is found in various public and private collections.
Pepe was full time Associate Professor of Art at University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA and tenured faculty at Penn State University, University Park, PA. She received her MA from The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM and her BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
2025
Celebration of Art and Life 2025 - 2026, Penn Medicine, Pearlman Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Elemental: Works in Paper & Clay, New Hope Arts, New Hope, PA
To Be Continued…The Ongoing Legacy of UArts…, Atelier Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2024 - 2023
Arts Thrive, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
Wonder, Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO
Juror: Douglas McCulloh, Sr. Curator/Interim Executive Director, UC California Museum of Photography
Books As Life, Philadelphia Center for the Book, Gallery 224, UArts, Philadelphia, PA
Sculpture 2024, New Hope Arts, New Hope PA
Transcending Uncertainty, Art Endures at Home, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
The Abstract Image, Praxis Photo Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
2022 - 2023
Searching for a New Normal, Philadelphia Center for the Book Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Presenter: VisualArtists’ Talk, Invited to present the portfolio of Prints
Drawn Together, UArts faculty drawing exhibit
Art Unleashed, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Reflections MFA, Annapolis, MD
2021 - 2019
Looking Out Looking In, Philadelphia Center for the Book, Swarthmore College Libraries, Swarthmore, PA
Masters as Muses, Cedarburg Art Museum Cedarburg, WI
Art of The State, The State Museum of PA, Harrisburg, PA,
Large-scale Installation, Selective Processes of Memory, Best In Show Sculpture Award
Winter Solstice, Marin Moca Museum Contemporary Art,
Photo Collage: Winter Solstice Philadelphia, Novato, CA
Cell Stem Cell, Cover, July 2019 edition. Renowned international science magazine
Black and White, Gallery 311
Photo: Sunrise through Hardangerfjord, en route Eidfjord, Norway, Raleigh, NC
2018
46th International Exhibit, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Brownsville, TX
Award: Museum Acquisition
The Art of Digital Media, Focal Point, Circle Gallery, MD Fed of the Arts, Annapolis, MD
Let’s Connect, Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
Life, Death, Rebirth, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Memory Expressions, UArts, Print Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Sculptor’s Present, with International Sculpture Conference, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond Words, Six Artists Speak, Senior Artists Initiative
2017
Focal Point Art of the Digital Media, MD Federation of Art Gallery, Annapolis, MD
American Twist, Traveling exhibit Antenna Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2016
My Philadelphia Story, Piece in Permanent Installation at The Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
American Twist, Nolan Park, Governors Island, New York, NY
UArts Faculty Exhibit, Kimmel Center For The Performing Arts, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA
2015
100th Exhibition,The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Semi Finalist
Group Exhibit, New Hope Arts, New Hope, PA
Art Unleashed, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2014
Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia Center for the Book, Philadelphia, PA
Scaled to Fit, New York Sculpture Guild Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Juried Grounds For Sculpture, Members
Musings, Hamilton NJ
Juried
U Arts IFA Painting Faculty Exhibition, U Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Group Exhibition, Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, DE
2013
BOUND Phoenix Gallery, New York, NY
Juror: Associate Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art NY: Cora Rosevear
Structures, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Juror: Owner ArtHaus Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012
Hidden Images, The Cosmopolitan Club, Philadelphia, PA
2011
En Route; Connections, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Solo Exhibition
Sculpture International Magazine 12/2011. Phila Review: En Route Solo Exhibit; Connections
Visions Four, Villanova University Gallery, Villanova, PA. Curator and exhibitor
2010
The University of the Arts Gallery 819, Solo exhibition, Phila, PAWindow On Broad, Solo Installation. Rosenwald-Wolf, Borowsky Gallery, U Arts, Phila. PAContemporary Voices, Woodmere Museum, Phila, PA, Sculpture Prize: Jacques Mac Cuiston DowlingMain Line Center for the Arts, Haverford, PA. Prize: PCA Paper Award for Work on Paper.Abington Art Center, Juried Exhibit. Abington PA. Juror: Curator Contemporary Art PAFA, Julien Robson
2009
Layers, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Fredericksburg, VirginiaContemporary Voices, Woodmere Museum, Phila,PA, Jacques Mac Cuiston Dowling Sculpture PrizeInterview: Creatively Speaking WRTI: Woodmere Art Museumʼs Contemporary Voices
2008
Conversations, DCCA Delaware Center For Contemporary Art, Solo Exhibition, Wilmington, DEBucks County Sculpture Show, Doylestown, PA
2006
New Bern Sculpture Show, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, New Bern, NC, juriedCombining Forces, Howard County Center for the Arts, Ellicott City, MD, juriedBucks County Sculpture Show, Warrington, Pennsylvania, juried
2005
Art In City Hall: New Work by Past Artists, Invitational, Phila PA100% Centennial, Regina Gouger Miller Gallery, Invitational, Phila , PA
2004
Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia Sculptors at Washington Square, Washington D.C.
“Best In Show Award” Juror, Gallery Joe Director, Becky Kerlin
2002
Building Unique Works, Philadelphia Sculptors at Washington Square, Washington D.C, On The Edge, Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts & Sciences Lovelaides, NJ Wayne Art Center National Spring Juried Exhibit, Wayne, PA
2001
For exhibitions prior to 2001, visit Diane Pepe's website.
