Rachel Arkwright Events - Environments - Fantastic and Strange Rachel Arkwright completed the Contemporary Crafts BA Honours at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2005 and has been in residence in the ceramics studio at Drumcroon since early 2006. Her brightly coloured ceramic and textile forms are an exploration of the modern world's sense of excess. Everything is boldly stated. Strong colours and textures resound, clash and clamour for attention. Looking closely, the viewer begins to identify the diverse collection of every day objects that are combined to create sculptural forms. The tips of rubber gloves, jelly moulds, trifle dishes and sweets are slip cast then assembled into new constructions. These are decorated with vivid earthenware glazes and gold enamel paints to create artefacts that raise the spirits and make the viewer smile.

However, the work also inspires a spiritual interpretation. Rachel has been greatly influenced by religious iconography and symbolism. Many of her works are reminiscent of objects that might be found in churches across Eastern and Western Europe. Her creations explore society's quest for beauty and its need for beautiful possessions to worship and admire. The work emphasises the power and importance of this human need, with her working process of transforming every day objects into something highly desirable and ornamental making a direct reference to consumerism. The highly decorative ornamental pieces carry a range of messages that encourage the viewer to reflect on notions of beauty, value and spirituality.

Rachel draws her inspiration from a wide variety of sources. She is inspired by the architecture of churches, and enjoys the diverse range of shapes found in headstones and graveyards. The religious images and symbols reference her Catholic background whilst the richly colourful carved shrines found in Thailand have inspired her in more recent times. Rachel loves old fashioned fairgrounds, circuses, Las Vegas and Blackpool. Their bright lights and atmosphere make her think of fantastic stage sets. Even the Trafford Centre with its clashing architectural styles inspires the development of her imagery. A sense of excess clearly underpins her work. Rachel loves kitsch – enjoying the idea of things being ‘too much’ but wanting to continue to add more marks, objects or colour. She enjoys the work of Zandra Rhodes and the eccentric garish sculptural works by Andrew Logan have influenced her fascination for incorporating diverse and contrasting elements into her own works.