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The work of the artist Jess is the quintessential visual equivalent of San Francisco Beat poetry. Bruce Conner, the only other contender for the central role among Beat artists, may be better known, but his wider range and greater ambition make him a poor fit into the movement. Works by Jess are meant to be read; Conner’s take too much space and make too much noise for quiet reading.

A 1993 Jess retrospective traveled to five major museums across the U.S., but the work is too little seen today. That is reason enough to catch “Jess: Secret Compartments,” a sprawling selection of paintings, drawings and collages at Anglim Gilbert Gallery through April 20.