Painting

Rachael Wilhite

Ephemeral Spaces

Rachael Wilhite’s work is a response to Arte Povera, an artistic movement which combines aspects of conceptual, minimalist art and makes use of discarded, common materials in the hope of challenging the commercialisation of art. Wilhite approaches painting through the medium of large-scale photography and installation. Her practice is concerned with the constructed urban environment. Of particular importance are the effects of decay upon these spaces. The work reflects on the changes that constantly appear within the urban environment, due to weathering and the economy.

Many desolate spaces around the city feature curious surfaces and textures. These decaying surfaces reflect the passage of human culture and the passage of time. Paint is used to mask marks of graffiti or weathering on walls and other surfaces. Often the shapes and colours of these cover-ups have collage-like elements; such as plains of colour, shapes and materials. There is a painterly quality to these spaces.

Imaginative compositions are structured with a camera, the way a painter composes a painting. Colours of the paint in these areas is occasionally adapted to further emphasise how unintentionally beautiful and painterly these overlooked spaces are. Found ephemera is gathered from these areas and the materials are arranged to consider how these objects stained by weather and time interact with other materials. Wilhite views the collection of materials and images as discovered art that the city has accumulated.

rachaelwilhiteartist@gmail.com

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