Rachel Williams is a multidisciplinary artist known for her bold, quirky, and apparently playful works that often carry a brooding gritty undertone. She employs an agglomeration of printmaking, painting, collage, and stitching onto a variety of surfaces, resulting in lively expressions of current obsessions.
Williams’ work often explores themes concerning the ancient world, its symbols, beliefs, and artefacts. A fascination with museums and the artefacts they hold has led to her exploration of “Museumification.” This concept refers to the incongruous display of historical objects, such as Roman artefacts, taxidermied carcasses, and skeletons of extinct animals, in sterile environments like museums. Williams questions the subjective nature of preserving history and how the context in which objects are displayed can drastically alter their perception and fundamental beauty. She delves into how the refraction of objects, combined with glimpses of visitors, can change the understanding and appreciation of historical artefacts, blurring the lines between objectivity and subjectivity.
Williams has exhibited widely, showcasing her evolving style and subject matter across various galleries in Italy and the UK. Her works have garnered attention and acclaim, earning her a place in private collections around the world.