RACHEL GADSDEN • VISUAL AND PERFORMANCE ARTIST
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Gadsden is an exciting and unique visual and perfromance artist with over 20 years experience of creating dynamic work as both solo artist, and collaborator as well as leading a range of national and international participative programmes. At the core of her practice are concerns as to how humankind comes to terms with mortality: by unearthing the unseen, making the invisible visible. Part of that process is about being open about impairment, and working to empower others to find a voice with which to challenge stigma. Ultimately Gadsden’s work is underpinned by themes of fragility and resilience, a shared and positive sense of survival in the face of chronic health conditions, and the politics and mythologies surrounding disability.
Expressionistic in approach, Gadsden creates vibrant, energetic art through painting, performance, animation and film, always with the overriding objective of presenting a cross-cultural visual language and dialogue to consider the most profound notions of what it is to be human.
Gadsden is a multi-award-winning visual and performance artist who has a BA and MA in Fine Art. Her artistic career began with the support of a Princes Youth Business Trust Award (1988). Gadsden was commended in the 2011 International Freedom to Create competition and Global Alchemy is now permanently exhibited in Mandela’s Walk to Freedom in Cape Town.
Gadsden’s 2019 commissions included a major artwork and film for FIFA and Hyundai for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Paris, she was invited to be the key note speaker for the Arts Activated Conference, Sydney Australia, has created a collaborative project for ADA Hong Kong, and has exhibited for British Council in Palestine and in Jordan for University of Birmingham.
