BIO
Rachel Williams is a mixed media artist known for her bold, quirky, and apparently playful works that often carry a brooding gritty undertone. She employs an agglomeration of printmaking, painting, collage, and stitching onto a variety of surfaces, resulting in lively expressions of current obsessions. THEMES AND INSPIRATIONS Williams’ work often explores themes concerning the ancient world, its symbols, beliefs, and artefacts. A fascination with museums and the artefacts they hold has led to her exploration of “Museumification.” This concept refers to the incongruous display of historical objects, such as Roman artefacts, taxidermied carcasses, and skeletons of extinct animals, in sterile environments like museums. Through her art, Williams questions the subjective nature of preserving history and how the context in which objects are displayed can drastically alter their perception and fundamental beauty. She delves into how the refraction of objects, combined with glimpses of visitors, can change the understanding and appreciation of historical artefacts, blurring the lines between objectivity and subjectivity. EXHIBITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Williams has exhibited widely, showcasing her evolving style and subject matter across various galleries in Italy and the UK. Her works have garnered attention and acclaim, earning her a place in private collections around the world. STATEMENT Fear is the driving force behind my artistic process. It’s the fear that compels me to return to printing as my primary mode of mark-making, particularly in the creation of mono prints. The sensation of pulling back the paper or cloth, revealing the transferred image, is exhilarating. In that moment, it feels as though the work is being created by someone else, and I can see it clearly, intuitively knowing where to take it next. This concept of “transference” from one surface to another permeates nearly all of my works, imbuing them with a sense of spontaneity and discovery. In my artistic practice, I strive to embrace this fear and allow it to guide me towards new possibilities and creative breakthroughs. Each mono print becomes a journey of exploration, as I navigate the delicate balance between control and chance, intention and serendipity. Through this process, I aim to capture moments of unexpected beauty and reveal hidden layers of meaning within the work. My use of fabric and stitching is a link back to not only the ancient past but the era of the embroidered sampler and the extraordinary talent of unsung women. I am very much captivated by the combination of the domesticity of the process and the more gritty side of my subject matter. Using fabric and thread has become an extension of my mark making and fits perfectly with my fascination with the cave painting of Lascaux and Australia. I like to mix up my techniques Ultimately, my art is a reflection of the dynamic interplay between fear and creativity, where vulnerability becomes a source of strength and transformation. It is my hope that viewers will be drawn into this journey, experiencing the same sense of exhilaration and discovery that fuels my artistic practice. GALLERIES Kellie Miller Gallery - Brighton Omega Studio - St Leonards-on-Sea
