RACHEL ENGLISH: VANISHING POINT
Rachel English is an Austin-based artist inspired by the intersection of physical science, philosophy, and the skies. She received her BA in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin in 2014 and began exhibiting her work immediately after. She has since exhibited her work across major cities nationally, including Richmond and Memphis. She has also taught several workshops and classes at different organizations such as the Dallas Museum of Art.
EXHIBITION DATES: September 10, 2022–September 24, 2022
Using oil on stretched canvas, English creates windows into the universe with a style weaving between dreamlike and lifelike. Just like the energy of celestial bodies, thunderstorms, and shifting landscapes, English’s work depicts great forces of nature that compel us to stop and observe them. She strives to be meticulous in conveying a sense of realism while giving great weight to the emotional influences at play. English describes this collection as a meditation on perspective.
In a recent talk with Fort Works Art, she explained that the inspiration for these paintings came from windshield views during numerous long drives up and down I-35. “The turn of events that caused me to be doing so much commuting at the time was not ideal, but those silent hours in the car with my baby daughter napping in the backseat as the scenery stretched on and on, gave me ample time to process how my life was changing. Given the opportunity to ascend to the clouds and look down at our problems, how might we benefit from that point of view? What could we notice that fills us with an appreciation for our circumstances, that we didn’t see clearly before? What would we pursue that would be elevating for ourselves, our families, and our communities? What would we choose to let go of? The skies are reminders that though we are small and vulnerable, we are interconnected with all the rest of the earth, contained and sustained by one intricate, elegant atmosphere. To remember this, at any moment, all we need to do is simply look up.”