As a St. Louis based printmaker, my work is deeply rooted in Midwest soil. In 2015, I earned my art degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL. With no access to a formal studio space after graduation, a small closet in my apartment was converted into my own personal print shop. Years later, having moved from my small closet to a spare bedroom, I began working with cyanotypes (also known as solar printing).
I count myself extremely fortunate to have studied under a number of accomplished artists and have visited some of the world's best museums and landmarks, but the biggest influence in my work, by far, has been motherhood.
When my son was born, my life shifted in every conceivable way. My minutes were no longer my minutes and my space was no longer my space. Everything became calculated and determined by his schedule. How I viewed life changed - how I viewed death changed - what I wanted to put out into the world changed.
My fears and anxieties became twofold. I developed a compulsion to document every moment of our life and holdfast to memories as a way to comfort myself as my son grows older. This phenomenon became the basis for my current series, Memry.
In addition to exploring the processes of encapsulating good moments, purging the bad ones, and preserving memory, this collection raises questions about the authenticity of my memories and the ways I've cropped into life as a way to curate my mind's eye.
Read Rachel's interview with the St. Louis Jewish Light.
Rachel is a 2024-2025 Fellow of the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute under the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and has served as a board member of Friends of Art at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois and a member of the Art Committee at Congregation B'nai Amoona.
Art Workshops? I'm In!
I've had the pleasure of facilitating art workshops and classes for a number of local museums and organizations. I would love to work with your group - let's chat!
Organizations I've worked with include Laumeier Sculpture Park, The Foundry Art Center, Craft Alliance, and the Meyer Kranzberg Learning Center.
Instagram: @ArtistRachelBray
Rachel resides in St. Louis with her husband James and their quesadilla-loving son, Wolfie.
(From RACSTL.org)
For almost three decades, artists, cultural workers, community activists, educators, and social service professionals have been a driving force in the movement for positive social change in St. Louis. RAC’s Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute is proud to count many of those changemakers as part of its vast alumni network.
The CAT Institute provides a comprehensive training program, preparing artists and their community partners to collaborate in creating and sustaining transformative arts programs, often in under-resourced settings, such as neighborhood organizations, social service agencies, and as part of educational programs. The fellows grapple with program planning and adaptability, partnership development, and hands-on projects–some of which may be designed during their fellowships.
Rachel is proud to serve as a Fellow of the 2024-2025 Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute at the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis where her passion for art + community is activated and cultivated.
Copyright © 2024 Rachel Bray - All Rights Reserved.
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