Rachael Kucken

Image courtesy of the artist

From an early age, Rachael often found herself alone, cherishing the rare time spent with those who brought her comfort. To hold onto these fleeting moments, she collected keepsakes, but soon realized how easily time could take them from her—flowers withered, paper yellowed, and fabric threads unraveled. This inevitability, which reflected other losses in her life, led Rachael to seek a means of preservation.
In her practice, Rachael discovered the patience of oil paint, which allowed her to capture intricate details with deliberate care. This encouraged her by providing the ability to preserve her keepsakes, and ultimately the memories within, them in a way that felt eternal. To then further push the connection she longed for as a child, she uses reflective surfaces—specifically mirrors and glass—to transform her paintings into dynamic experiences, inviting the viewer to not only observe but also become a part of the work. In this way, these surfaces create a spaces where memory is not only honored but shared.

As a self-taught artist, Rachael’s work is held in private collections, and has been featured in in numerous group shows. She was recently awarded an honorable mention for her piece What’s In A Name?.