Sheryl L. White
Artist's Statement

I am a painter working in oil, usually on paperboard. Six years ago, my traditional
landscape format evolved into a disassembled panoramic vista. I broke down the
image into numerous parts and explored the segments in relation to the entire
piece. I noted and experimented with the idea that just as the land hasn’t one
image, my paintings would be made up of a variety of fragments and isolated
abstractions which are as much singular statements as they are necessary parts
of the whole.

I further broke down the horizontal aspect of the paintings with
fragmented cross-shaped landscapes. Often, they incorporated a trompe l’oeil
flap that added a dimension beyond abstraction and realism – the unknown.

In July 1997, I began to work exclusively with these flaps which I call
"eyes". They are in oil on gessoed paperboard. It began as an exercise and became
a powerful fulfillment of my desire to convey a thought through a minimal image
with a limited palette. This simple 2 1/2" x 3" rectangle of color is a journal
of infinite expression. What is missing and unseen, the unknown, is as important
as what is there. The smallness of these paintings is important bceause I can
focus as completely as I would if writing. The subtleties of color and texture
are like words on a page, intense and clear for the viewer who is physically
close. As in my fragmented landscapes, these fragments can be seen as "isolated
abstractions" or parts of my whole self. These paintings are fun and satisfying
and exciting and articulate. I was looking for bread and stumbled on a feast.

Imagine words in color.

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