Bio

Rachael (b.1987) lives in North Tyneside and works from her studio at One Three One, North Shields. She makes abstract, geometric work in a set colour palette across a range of mediums including textiles, paint and photography.

Her work also includes text-based pieces where she considers ideas around motherhood and women and their work.

She has had an unconventional route into art having studied law at Northumbria University and then practised as a Barrister upon graduating. Since taking a sabbatical from the Bar in 2014 she has: co-founded two businesses (A Woven Plane and Buy The Kilo); worked as a Special Advisor to the then Shadow Solicitor General Karl Turner MP at Westminster; worked with antique shop HOWE London; documented porch tiles and set up _tilecatcher; and volunteered with Koestler Arts and Smartworks. During this time she began gradually developing her own practice, taking the step in 2023 to focus on it. She is currently on The Newbridge Project’s Collective Studio programme (2024-2025).

Statement

I am drawn to red and blue and use those colours through lines and forms to create a visual language that I can communicate through. I enjoy using a range of mediums to express my ideas: some ideas are better communicated through a textile piece and others through a painting. I also find, with textiles, there are special meanings with certain materials such as using my own worn duvet cover in the Newborn Parents Quilt.

I see patterns everywhere from nature to architecture: the horizontal lines in silver birch trees bark to tiled buildings. This helps to create the language I use for a piece. I am self-taught with aspects of my learning being self-guided, as and when it arises. An example would be learning how to create the hard-edge finish in my paintings from geometric artist Theresa Poulton.

I believe there is an element of advocacy in my practice, where the work speaks to a broader issue or cause. Having worked in law, politics and business, art is my home and the place that I want to respond from and create from.

Study

Collective Studio, The Newbridge Project 2024/2025

Helix Artists’ Agency Programme 2023

First Class Law LLB Hons (BVC Exempting) Northumbria University 2006-2010

For more information, please complete the contact form below or email me on rachaeldeebrienart@gmail.com