With my MA show, I have developed a narrative to explore layers of perception. Using line to draw on paper, canvas, the bite of the print, and the physicality of wire, I've made art to depict images of myself and others with similar Queer identities, elevated from a stance of erasure.
Often, my practice is predominantly two-dimensional, centred on drawing and mark-making. MA studies have encouraged me to work with new mediums and materials to explore three-dimensional work, including sculpture, casting, and ‘drawing’ with metal to create sculptures.
Exquisite Corpse of Identity
Creating a ‘playground sculpture around the themes of letting go, not defining myself by boxes or fitting a round peg into a square hole, but embracing the multi-dimensional aspects of one's being, letting go of those restrictive preconceived and pigeonholing narratives.
Rachel Collier-Wilson (They\Them)
Exquisite Corpse of Identity
Painted and drawn MDF Boxes, 55 x 55 x 180 cm
Exhibited as part of Queerfest Norwich in the exhibition ‘Interrupt’ February 2024
“Playing with the idea of gender. Something that is not taught in the playground. I constructed a life size pile of building blocks which can twist to change the view of my different personas. Each block can be twisted to combine different elements of the characters portrayed.”
Referencing works such as exquisite corpse game from the surrealist movement, combined with imagery addressing identity, gender and a superhero persona ‘Super dyke’ : Invisible Lesbian; In Death, Still Lesbian; All The Fun of The Bear; Super Hero Dyke.
Queer women and self portraits
I was brave enough to run a workshop session as part of LGBT+ History Month - and I’m so glad I did it. Some lovely participants and insights into putting ourselves into the picture - some great reflections (no pun intended) on what it’s been like during lock down, what it’s like studying ones face so intently - and some lovely drawings created.
I started the session with a bit of an introduction:
Self Portraits are not just about recording what’s in front of you - even if you produce something you think is ‘rubbish’ - it’s not it has great value as a mindful exercise. In history women have persevered to challenge the ‘male gaze’ Which is all about power and objectified women - we are not decorative! In the history of art women didn’t have the same opportunity of study - not allowed in life classes. SO self portrait was a way to study the human form - model is always there - not necessarily always well behaved.
Women have taken self portraits - and used to create very powerful statements - rarely just about study.
I put together a small collection of examples and key women to start a conversation and contextualise the self portraits importance for queer women - I tried to be as inclusive as I could - and will possibly add to this board in the future.
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/CreativeWithLine/queer-artists/
As part of my preparation I collected self portraits I’d made in the past - they make an interesting (to me at least) retrospective of my creativity - the earliest one being from the late 80s. There’s the portrait I made during the session and a few tips. The portrait I made using my image on the screen and a little awkward to draw on the easel so that everyone could see my progress - so considering those factors - I was quite pleased with it!
