Rachel English: Atmospheric Perspective

September 09 - October 28,2023

From Fort Works Art: "FORT WORKS ART is pleased to announce Atmospheric Perspective, a second solo exhibition at FWA, by Austin based artist Rachel English. English is a full-time artist whose work elicits emotions about life, change, taking moments to breathe, and spirituality. She achieves these emotions by building layers of oil paint in her atmospheres. These layers create environments with such depth and light that the viewer wants to gain access into her worlds. The final image also allows the viewer to go into their own memory full of unique experiences that these works elicit. English will be installing around 30 new oil paintings from the last twelve months of her life. The exhibition will open on FWADA’s Fall Gallery Night, September 9, 2023 from noon – 9 pm. The artist will be in attendance for a reception from 6-9 pm.   English describes her process as “a means to an end.” The process is not what truly matters to her. The finished image is what moves her forward. English further states, “The painting has to be complete for her to feel as if it could stand alone.” Creating a sense of awe and wonder is her ultimate goal.   This awe she speaks of brings us back to English. Director Lauren Saba states, “The direction her work is going in with light is exquisite. Her imagery is so simple and impactful and takes me back to my childhood and seeing the cropped flowers at The Amon Carter of Georgia O’Keeffe’s. English paints eloquently and standing in front of her works is like listening to a beautiful piece of classical music for the first time.”   When Fort Worth first met English in 2022 at her solo exhibition Vanishing Point, she was going through a major life change that brought about an unexpected move to Austin from Dallas with her young child. During her commutes between the cities, English found herself staring out of the car window and finding solace in the skies. Finding the space between the fear of the unknown and the excitement about the possibilities of what lies ahead. This shared human experience that calls for complete reinvention most of us can understand. The resiliency and grit we saw that year with English and the body of work that came out of those times was inspirational. Her show was a sellout and immediately caught the attention of national dealers.   In the last calendar year English has created over 30 new works designed custom for the gallery here in Fort Worth. This time around her exhibition will take place in our large downstairs space. English has pushed her work further this time around. She is looking not only into the broad beauty of our vast skies as the palette, but she is also looking for deeper understanding. Understandings for existing post pandemic, what it means to be a new single mother, and what it means to be an artist.   This time around English comes with a renewed sense of self and adventure. She has found her world no longer vanishing. She has deeply explored the world that exists when you stop, look at something simple and find true beauty. The fleeting overstimulation of imagery our society demands is being fought against in these works.   Atmospheric Perspective is the embodiment of an exhibition watching an artist mature and come into themselves. As a cloud is created by invisible vapor becoming visible crystals of water, English’s work flourishes into a mountain of open-air space for every viewer to be able to stop, breath, and find themselves within. Finding her own meaning is what drives her latest body of work.   About the Artist: Rachel English is an Austin-based artist. She received her BA in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin in 2014 and began exhibiting her work immediately after. She has since exhibited her work across major cities nationally, including Richmond and Memphis. She was awarded residencies at Cedars Union in Dallas, Texas in 2017 and at Gullkistan Center for Creativity, Laugarvatn, Iceland in 2022.She has also taught several workshops and classes at different organizations such as the Dallas Museum of Art. English has most recently completed a sold out duet show at The Office in Miami, Florida.   Event Details: Atmospheric Perspective September 9 2023 – October 28 2023   Fort Works Art 2100 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107 @fortworksart 817-759-9475   Opening Reception: FWADA Fall Gallery Night, September 9 2023 6:00 PM-9:00PM   About Fort Works Art: Fort Works Art is committed to bringing life, vitality, and energy to the art scene in Fort Worth, TX. They are a resource for both seasoned collectors and the everyday individual. Existing somewhere between a gallery, a cultural center, and a museum, Fort Works Art strives to continually evolve into its own entity, free from the traditional labels of the art world. They exist to support the arts, to give back to the community, and to inspire youth."

Reception: September 09, 2023 | 6-9 pm

Fort Works Art 2100 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
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