SERIES
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I work directly on unprimed cotton, developing my paintings through a process based on absorption and the inherent porosity of the fabric.Rather than applying pigment solely onto the visible surface, I work from the reverse side of the canvas, allowing the pigment to penetrate the cotton and emerge through the fabric.Working this way changes my relationship with the image. I cannot directly see the painting as it is being formed, but over time I have developed an intuitive understanding of how the fabric responds. The placement, density, and movement of the pigment are intentional, while their final appearance remains dependent on absorption, diffusion, and the structure of the cotton.As the pigment travels through the fabric, it creates variations in density, fragmented edges, transparency, and subtle grid-like or pixel-like traces that cannot be fully reproduced through conventional surface painting. The image is therefore not simply applied to the canvas, but revealed through it.This process creates a continuous tension between anticipation and unpredictability. I have a sense of what I am constructing, while allowing the material to transform the result in ways I cannot completely determine.Through repetition and transformation, I use this process to explore what happens when the canvas itself becomes an active participant in the creation of a painting.
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© 2026 Sarah Bontempo
WORKS
A new body of work is coming soon.
A new body of work is coming soon.
A new body of work is coming soon.
© 2026 Sarah Bontempo
ABOUT
Sarah Bontempo is a French contemporary artist living and working in Barcelona.Her practice explores the relationship between painting, material, and process, with a particular interest in the interaction between intention and material behavior.Working with raw cotton, pigment, and absorption-based processes, she approaches painting as a dialogue between what is deliberately constructed and what emerges through the properties of the material itself.Her work considers painting as a process of transformation, where structure, repetition, restraint, and unpredictability coexist. Rather than treating the canvas solely as a support, she considers it an active element in the development of the image.Through this ongoing negotiation between control and chance, permanence and change, her practice investigates how an image can emerge through material rather than simply being applied to it.
© 2026 Sarah Bontempo
COLLECTOR INFORMATION
Original Works
All works are unique original artworks created by Sarah Bontempo. Unless otherwise stated, no reproductions or prints are available.
Certificate of Authenticity
Each artwork is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity and is documented in the artist's archive.
Signature
All works are signed on the reverse.
Shipping
Each artwork is carefully inspected and packaged by the artist before shipment. Unstretched canvases are shipped rolled in a secure protective tube to ensure the safest possible transportation while preserving the integrity of the artwork.
Stretching & Framing
Rolled canvases can be professionally stretched by a local framer upon arrival according to your preferred presentation.
Artwork Care
To preserve the artwork over time, avoid direct sunlight, excessive humidity and extreme temperatures. Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth.
Customs & Taxes
International orders may be subject to customs duties or import taxes. These charges are the responsibility of the collector.
Returns
Due to the unique nature of each original artwork, all sales are final.
© 2026 Sarah Bontempo
CONTACTS
For pricing, details, or acquisition inquiries, please contact directly via email or Instagram.
FULL CATALOGUE — Available Upon Request
© 2026 Sarah Bontempo