About the artist
nemophilist;- a haunter of the woods, one who loves the forest, its beauty, its solitude
Artist Statement
Rachel Battersby graduated with a BA in Fine and Applied Arts from University of Ulster in 2008.
Rachel has exhibited throughout the UK, Ireland and USA, and her pieces have been selected for the Royal Ulster Academy on numerous occasions. Rachel's work is held in private art collections throughout the UK and USA.
Her contemporary drawings in charcoal and watercolour depict atmospheric and detailed observations of nature, in which she uses the technique of chiaroscuro to interweave layers of charcoal together, along with flashes of watercolour to evoke a little of the wonder of nature that can be so easily overlooked and passed by. She is inspired by literature, symbolism, the work of the Old Masters and contemporary Japanese printmaking.
Artist CV
Exhibitions
| UPCOMING | |
| 2023 | First Biennial Exhibition, The Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Museum of Art, Mayo, Ireland Arts Care Summer Show, Connswater, Belfast |
| SOLO | |
| 2021 | Gifts from the Forest Floor, Crawfordsburn Forest Park, Bangor |
| GROUP | |
| 2022 | 141st RUA Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast |
| 2021 | 140th RUA Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast |
| 2017 | HeArt of Hope, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast |
| 2015 | NI Hospice Art Aid, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast |
| 2014 | Art for NSPCC, The MAC, Belfast |
| 2013 | Art in the Eastside Exhibition, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast Art in the Eastside Billboard Project 2013, Central Train Station, East Belfast Arts Festival, Belfast Summer Show, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast Group Show, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast Drawing on the Back of an Envelope, Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo Group Show, Bradbury Gallery, Belfast |
| 2012 | RUA ArtAid Exhibition, RUA River House, Belfast Christmas 200, Canvas Gallery, Belfast Summer Show, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast Group Show, Bradbury Gallery, Belfast Group Show, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast |
| 2011 | RUA 130th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast Summer Exhibition, Emer Gallery, Belfast RUA ArtAid Exhibition, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast Group Show, Bradbury Gallery, Belfast |
| 2010 | Christmas 200, Canvas Gallery, Belfast Group Show, Bradbury Gallery, Belfast |
| 2009 | Christmas 200, Canvas Gallery, Belfast Urban Art Show, Fallout Arts Centre, Minneapolis, USA Gloria Dei, Fallout Arts Centre, Minneapolis, USA |
| 2008 | Group Show, Blick Shared Studios, Belfast |
| 2008 | End of Year Degree Show, University of Ulster, Belfast |
Education
| 2005 - 2008 | BA (Hons) Fine and Applied Art (2:1); University of Ulster, Belfast. |
| 2004 - 2005 | Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design (commendation); University of Ulster, Belfast. |
From the artist:
We are deeply connected to all of nature as human beings, and this is not a one-sided relationship - nature communes with us. In a time of rampant deforestation and destruction of habitats, I hope that my work conveys the beauty of nature and what we need to protect.