NOTE: This piece was published in 2011, as Rachel MacFarlane was coming to wide public attention. Go to Hollis Taggart Gallery for an up to date look at her work today in the mainline New York art world.
This graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design has her first solo exhibit through Nov 5 at Nicholas Metivier, one of Toronto’s top galleries, which has shown her work since 2009. She’s clearly a young artist to watch, especially since Metivier seems to have a keen sense for identifying the up and coming. Witness the success of Stephen Appleby-Barr, also a Metivier artist, whose work is so popular there’s a waiting list. Rachel MacFarlane appears to have the same potential momentum with her colorful, kaleidoscopic work.
MacFarlane “uses tiny maquettes made of found refuse that serve as references for painted worlds that fall somewhere between mimetic representation and abstraction. Through a two-step process of translating and transforming, materials that are considered unattractive and unwanted become the basis for imaginary painted spaces.” Nicholas Metivier Gallery
The bold, near-psychedelic colour and the overlapping, wrapping and twisted planes of MacFarlane’s work reference Cubism and Surrealism, but the style is uniquely her own.
Also see more on Rachel MacFarlane’s blog. And on her Tumblr, here.
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LOVE your art designs. Do you sell them?
Great work love to watch this kinda art
i’ve never really “painted”. it depends on your definition. but i’ve always like abstract work more than anything. This is AMAZING!!
Yes there’s really something special about her work, and she’s still so young.
Wow! That is great work! Thank you for the exposing me to such a great artist..I “follow” with high hopes of seeing more great artist! 😉
Oh you’re so welcome. Thank you for the follow. Your blog looks great. Maniac is on my list to watch.
you have the talent.. keep it up… nice write up. c:
http://travellersdiningdepot.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/jamie-olivers-perfect-steak/
Thank you. (Love the Gustavian Way!)
Wonderful site, and the artist you feature are superb. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the support. I”m a newish blogger and I really appreciate visits and feedback and comments.
Wow…all of these look awesome. She definitely has a unique style that’s very catchy to the eye. Thanks for sharing!
Eye catching indeed, and I think that’s what first pulls you in. And then you see the technique. Thanks for visiting.
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interesting images, ‘Passageway’ creates an element of a broken society which is then given hope through choice of colours and shape. GREAT WORK.
No wonder you like her colors! I had a look at yours, beautiful. I really like your observation about the broken society. Thanks.
I particularly like Expedition 2011. Great find!
Expedition seems to be many people’s favorites. I wish I’d had room to put everything she’s currently painted up. Her work is so intricate.
Cool!
cool! very original
They’re really pretty 🙂
Her work is very special. The colors, beautiful and the shapes, mesmerizing. Her “Passages” work kept me staring at all the ins and outs of the 3-D looking painting.
They are compelling.
Ronnie
It’s so interesting how each of her paintings captivates people in so many different ways, and I only had room for a few. Yes as well on the 3-D comment, kind of surrealistic. Thanks.
Seeing a talented artist gain some notice is a feeling of accomplishment for any of us involved in creative pursuits: like writing!
Ronnie
Very interestinng work and super colours. They remind me a bit of 1930s posters (particularly the Russion mechanistic kind) with lots more added blue. Am particularly taken with ‘Expedition’. Had a look at all the images via that link and found it quite overwhelming – so much energy! Thank you for sharing this info
Interesting observation about the 1930s, hadn’t thought of that. Your’e right about her energy, too. Thanks for your comments.
Wow — incredible work. Thank you for including the link to her blog as well — I can’t wait to see more.
🙂
She’s amazing, isn’t she? BTW I love your who is this . . . chick explanation on your About page. LOL and so well written.
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