Rachael Bearder: ‘Transformations’

‘Transformations’ - Rachael Bearder

I was born and raised in Guernsey, am married to Simon and have two adult children.  I came to weaving relatively late in my life - after over three decades in the finance industry, I burnt out and started to weave with willow to help my recovery. 

I love the creative process and the challenges of using natural products - the feel, look and scent of willow are all beautiful and the shapes it can be used to make vary from small, intricate baskets to structures large enough to sit under.  I also love to
share the skills needed to weave and value the time I get to spend with some wonderful people as they create their own pieces - from baskets to reindeer.

‘Transformations’ is a title that reflects the nature of willow weaving. In addition to the transformation of what are essentially sticks into art work and functional objects, I will be
demonstrating the transformation of other objects – such as beach flotsam, seaweed and garden plant fibres into art. I am also working with UnLimited - formerly the Ron Short Centre to create a piece which I hope will act to transform visitors’ experiences of what the team there are able to achieve.

The pieces will also reflect the transformation I have gone through from project manager to artist and reflect the move away from mathematics, analysis and structure to fluidity and expression.

The Collections and Transformations exhibition will be at the Art at the Park Gallery from Tuesday 20th of August until Friday 20th September at 2pm.

The Gallery is open daily from 10am until 5pm, is free entry, access friendly and also has the Museum shop.

Rachael Bearder’s exhibition ‘Transformations’ will feature alongside Tim Babbe's exhibition ‘Collections’ .