Rachel Ratten
Artist Statement
Rachel Ratten has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a P.G. Dip in
Visual and Material Studies and BFA (Hons). She has taught painting
and printmaking at Aoraki Polytechnic, and her work is held in
collections both throughout New Zealand and internationally.
Abstract
Possessions are a major contributor to, and the reflection of, our
identities, and, either consciously or not, people regard their
possessions as part of themselves. Other people, places or
possessions all contribute to create the extended self. That
invisible core of self is difficult to portray, so various
solutions were invented that would extend the metaphorical nature
of the portrait in a manner consistent with the subject's own
behaviour or patterns of self representation. Tangible objects are
one such part of this methodology to create self identity.
My work aims to examine the expression of identity against the
loss of individuality. Being an individual within a particular
culture/society establishes identity in a general way, but also
takes the emphasis away from the individual. This invokes
confusion, and I exaggerate this perplexity through creating
unsettling images of everyday objects, by relegating them in
positions of erroneous scale and position on the canvas. With the
face covered, it can be construed that these are not portraits at
all, but rather an ambiguous relationship between the object and
the person is presented.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2012 BFA (Hons) University of Canterbury
2011 Post Graduate Diploma in Visual and Material Culture, Massey University
2004 BA (Sociology) - Massey University
Solo Shows
2012 "Kitsch - Days of our lives", Ashburton Art Gallery, Ashburton.
2010 "Legacy", Saffron Gallery, Timaru
2007 "Falling in love (again)", Salisbury House Gallery, Dunedin
I have exhibited in numerous group shows around New Zealand over the last 10 years.
Awards
2009 Trust Aoraki Art Awards 1st Prize
2008 Trust Aoraki Art Awards 1st Prize
2008 Ashburton Art Society Merit Award
2007 South Canterbury Art Society 3rd Prize
2006 South Canterbury Art Society Merit Award
2004 Tirau Footpath Gallery Show 1st prize,
2009/10 Painting/Printmaking Tutor, Aoraki Polytechnic, Timaru