Rachel Burke ‘Thanks for Nothing’

Internationally known as a queen of craft, multidisciplinary artist and designer Rachel Burke (or @imakestagram, as she’s known on Instagram) is renowned for her vibrant, cute and kitsch creations – from tinsel jackets and pom-pom-adorned dresses to bedazzled upcycling craft projects. Amongst all of that joy and whimsy, however, Rachel has also been working on (and processing) something much more personal – a raw and honest exhibition that delves into her experiences with fertility issues, pregnancy loss, vulnerability and trauma. 

Hand-placing more than half a million melty beads, Rachel has created a collection of works that capture her journey, injecting her signature dose of colour into a topic that is often cast in shadows. She reflects that the repetitive process of placing the beads was meditative and healing, allowing her to confront and process her grief, and transform it into something tangible. When deciding to explore her grief through artistic practice, it was important to Rachel that she embraced her signature vibrant kitsch aesthetic, while inviting a dialogue about something that is seldom discussed, but experienced by so many people.

The resulting exhibition, Thanks for Nothing, features dozens of works, all crafted using tiny melty beads. Running from February 1–14 at Red Hill’s Side Gallery, the show features multi-metre wall hangings, bags, quilts and more that express the various states of being and the commentary that underpinned Rachel’s significant year of loss.

Rachel Burke’s Thanks for Nothing opens at Side Gallery on Saturday February 1 from 4:00 pm. The official opening celebration will take place from 6:00–8:00 pm, preceded by an artist in conversation with curator Laura Brinin from 5:30 pm. Rachel will also host two (now sold out) workshops across the exhibition period, plus there’s an up-late closing event on Thursday February 13 from 6:00–8:00 pm.

Photos: Lara Furst