Rachel Kenny is a Cork-born multi-disciplinary artist based in Dublin, Ireland with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art Print from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. Having previously studied Philosophy, Sociology and Drama at University College Dublin, her work explores themes of time, identity and evolution through a conceptual art practice, utilising a variety of media such as printmaking, sculpture, paper-making textiles and video. She was granted the Graduate Award (2023) from Graphic Studio Dublin, and the Purchase Award from The Office of Public Works for the State Art Collection of Ireland.
Though often considered an abstract artist, Kenny finds great likeness with the surrealist movement and its artists, who stated, “the exploration of the unconscious mind through art could free the individual from the constraints of modern society.” Through a methodology which holds the duality and interrelationship of conceptual art and philosophy, Kenny seeks to observe the experience of mortality. The artist is captivated by time and its paradoxically finite and infinite cycles, often leading to existential questioning within her work. To honour the inevitability of death and decay while also celebrating transcendence and evolution; this is the artist’s mission.
Kenny observes post-pandemic society and contemplates the need for stillness when coping with the aftermath of collective trauma. Movement, slowness and ritualism are imperative factors within the work. The artist believes there is beauty in the transformation or metamorphosis that comes with change, grief or trauma and views the experience as a portal of discovery; finding new ways of working through it, herlife and work persisting in having a symbiotic relationship with one another. These new ways of working include an alignment of the intentional and intuitive, coming together as a physical experience and spiritual practice with a heavy emphasis on bodily movement.
Through the ancient and meditative process of paper-making, the artist attempts to re-enter a slower pace of life reminiscent of restrictive lockdown days, a practice which is built upon an introspection with nature. Kenny utilises the sun-reliant process of cyanotype as a means to maintain an organic evolution within the work. The earthly reliance on the sun dates back to the beginning of time, for time and the sun are inextricably linked. Through evolution, efficiency of time marked the beginning of a conditioned regime - a structure, the artist believes, that is assuredly shaping us to be more like machines than human beings. The artist is interested in submitting to nature, allowing it to guide and watching it unfold in her work, honouring its capriciousness.
Graduate Award 2023 https://graphicstudiodublin.com/
Website: https://rachelkenny.cargo.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.kenny_/