Rachel English: Begin Again

October 12 - October 26,2024

From Fort Works Art Gallery:

"Fort Works Art Gallery is proud to present 'Begin Again,' a new solo exhibition by celebrated artist Rachel English, running from [insert dates]. This exhibition marks a pivotal moment in English's life and career, offering a deeply personal exploration of renewal, peace, and the beauty of making your own way in the world.

Rachel English's first two shows took place during a time of significant transition. While navigating personal challenges, moving to Austin, and working multiple jobs to, English found solace in the vast Texas sky. Her drives between Austin gave rise to paintings filled with the peacefulness of the open road and the sky's ever-changing light—a reflection of the emotional turbulence she was experiencing.

Now, with 'Begin Again,' English has arrived at a new chapter in her life. No longer in a state of transition, she has found a sense of peace and stability. She has achieved the dream of supporting herself and her daughter solely through her artwork and is building a home on a beautiful piece of land, echoing the life trajectory of renowned artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Like O'Keeffe, who famously settled at Ghost Ranch and later Abiquiú, finding profound inspiration in the expansive desert landscape, English's new home has opened up a deeper connection to her surroundings. O'Keeffe’s relationship with the land and the skies above New Mexico shaped much of her later work, offering her a sense of independence and artistic freedom. Similarly, English now engages in a more intimate dialogue with the skies above her home, drawing from moments spent lying in the grass with her daughter and observing the clouds, often anthropomorphizing them into living forms. This back-and-forth interaction with nature informs her artistic process, enriching the emotional depth and contemplative quality of her paintings.

English’s paintings in 'Begin Again' explore the sky in a way that recalls the work of J.M.W. Turner, who used light to evoke emotion and atmosphere in landscapes. Turner, known for his expressive treatment of light, captured the sublime beauty and power of nature, often through the dramatic play of sunlight and clouds. English, similarly, focuses on light as the primary subject in her paintings, observing the nuanced shifts in color and mood as clouds transform and sunlight filters through the sky above her home.

Director Lauren Saba states that English's exhibition "'Begin Again' is about more than just starting over. It is about writing your own story. How many of us really do that? Being a small  part of English creating a new life on her terms is a powerful and inspiring thing to be a part of." English’s new works reflect a slowing down, a shift in her creative process to a more meditative and deliberate exploration of light, color, and form. She has embraced the time to observe the sky with greater focus, allowing it to inform her understanding of both her environment and her

own abilities as an artist.Through this, English finds joy in the simple act of being present, especially in moments shared with her daughter, where the sky takes on new life and meaning.

This exhibition is not only a celebration of Rachel English’s newfound peace, but also an invitation for others to reflect on their own journeys and the beauty of creating one's path, no matter the obstacles. 'Begin Again' offers a visual testament to resilience, renewal, and the delicate yet powerful relationship between the artist and her environment. "

Fort Works Art 2100 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
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