Title: Golden Girl
Introducing Rachel
What's in your art cup? Tea or coffee?
I love my coffee in the morning, can’t wake up and work without it! I love a cappuccino, especially when a thoughtful barista makes a beautiful image in the milky froth.
Why this piece of artwork for the cup?
I chose this piece of artwork for the cup as it seemed perfect to show the hidden female in domesticity and how the female image is used to show the purity and hope of a product in advertising. It re-introduces depth and recognition to female characters, all too often dismissed and over simplified. It also champions our natural environment and immediate need to take care, in climate crisis times, of the insects who work hard behind the scenes. They are vital to our biodiversity and symbolise the busy workers we are, except we often need coffee to fuel us!
What is the story behind this piece of art?
My original artwork ‘Golden Girl’ 2021 a femmage (female gaze collage) art piece made with vintage wallpaper, 1950’s calendar and insect illustrations 50x50cm is from ongoing research and practice, exploring the aesthetic of femininity from a critical perspective, attempting to recognise the agency and identity inherent in female voices, traditionally sidelined and objectified. This ‘Golden Girl’ collected image from a mining industry calendar, was destined for landfill, until she was reclaimed and will now smile from the coffee cup!
What have you enjoyed about this project?
I’m really grateful to be a selected artist! It’s an unusual arts project to be involved in and knowing my work will be see in cafes across Western Australia is extraordinary.
"This Golden Girl collected image from a mining industry calendar was destined for landfill until she was reclaimed and will now smile from the coffee cup"
Why is it important to support the arts?
Supporting your local artists and creatives contributes to the very fabric of communities and therefore the social and economic wellbeing of all. Developing arts experiences for people with accessible key tools of exploration and communication gives empowerment for participants engaging and has unlimited potential.
