Rachael Nee

Rachael is a British artist currently living and practicing in Bristol, UK. She earned her BA in Ceramics from Bristol Polytechnic in 1987 and later achieved an MA in Fine Art (with Distinction) from Chelsea College of Arts, London, in 2015.

Working across various media including installation and painting, Rachael explores the intersection of art, science, and technology, delving into ideas related to energy, entropy, scale, time, and matter. She is particularly recognised for her smoke and graphite drawings, utilising the blackened carbon trace left by a candle flame. Often, she combines this trace with wax or gold leaf, occasionally producing works of ambitious scale, such as 'Chance Encounter.'

Drawing from her background in ceramics, Rachael's use of fire as a creative tool reflects the inherent risk and chance, akin to firing in a kiln. In her smoke and graphite drawings, she elevates the stakes, allowing the fire and the process itself to take center stage.

Rachael's artistic endeavours extend beyond her drawings. In 2016, She was awarded a research trip to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, resulting in an installation exhibited there. Following her trip, she authored a 'Sci-Art' booklet for CERN's art@CMS education and outreach department.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Rachael actively engages in workshops to make the intersection of art, science, and technology more accessible to a broader audience. Currently delving into the field of electronics and sound, she continues to expand her skills for a diverse range of workshops.

With over 20 years of professional experience, Rachael is a regular exhibitor at the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol. In 2004, she secured the Viewers Choice prize, and three years later, she became an elected Academician.