Rachel Gadsden
Bio
Rachel Gadsden is a visual and performance artist who uses expressionistic techniques in her paintings, films, performances, and animations. Her work exposes the invisible and engages with the idea of mortality. Much of her work engages with cross-cultural visual representation. Gadsden has won many awards throughout her creative career, including being commeneded in the International Freedom to Create competition. Her exhibition "Global Alchemy" is on permanent display at Mandela's Walk to Freedom in Cape Town. Notably, Gadsden created art and film for the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup.
(All information from Rachel Gadsden's website)
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Image Descriptions
"Strong Man of Khayelitsha" Description: This image shows a piece of paper on a white background. Positioned in the center of the piece of paper is a contour drawing of a person standing. The person's left leg is bent and crossed over their right leg at the knee as if they are walking. The person has a third leg, that is shaded a darker grey and again has the effect of showing movement. Descending from each of the figure's arms are crutches. In the background of the work of art are brush strokes that suggest a wall and a floor. There is a vertical blue line and a diagonal grey-blue line that meet at an angle. Additionally, throughout the painting are olive green and orange brushstrokes.
Painting from the exhibition "Ships of the Desert": The background of the painting is navy blue. Near the center of the image is an orange circle. Arcing over the orange circle is a white brushstroke. To the left of the circle is a curved royal blue brushstroke. Additionally, the painting involves yellow, orange, red, and white brushstrokes and paint splatters. Along the bottom half of the painting the artist used a smaller, denser brush and/or pencil to add scribbles.
Photo of "Glass House": This is a photograph of a glass house sitting atop a blue stage with a ramp with a gradual slope from the center of the stage to the bottom right corner of the photo. There are a couple of small plants lining the stage. The house is composed of multiple panels of glass. Each panel, including the two visible doorways, features a bright and colorful design. Many of the panels include paintings of flowers, while others feature sketches of figures. Some of these figures sit atop wheeled mobility vehicles. The house seems to be illuminated from the inside, giving the house the appearance of stained glass.