Post 9: Artist Statement and Bio - Rachel Birtwistle

 Post 9: Artist Statement and Bio

Biography 

Rachel Birtwistle has a BFA with a concentration in Graphic Design from New Jersey City University. She is a Graphic Designer and Fine Artist based in Bayonne, New Jersey. Her work draws inspiration from surrealism, retro aesthetics, gothic elements, and grunge culture. She approaches design as a medium for self-expression, combining different visual styles and themes that reflect her personal interests and passions. Birtwistle’s designs often explore subjects that interest her, such as album cover design, merchandise design, folklore, contemporary art, and the haunting black paintings of Francisco Goya. Influenced by the darker, more surreal aspects of art history, her work incorporates moody, dreamlike visuals that challenge conventional design boundaries.

Artist Statement

Rachel Birtwistle has a BFA in Graphic Design from New Jersey City University. She is a Graphic Designer and Fine Artist located in Bayonne, New Jersey, whose work fuses surrealism, retro aesthetics, gothic elements, and grunge culture. Drawing inspiration from the past while staying within the perimeters of contemporary design, Birtwistle’s creations reflect a personal and emotional approach to art and design. Each piece she produces explores themes of identity, emotion, and her own interests.

Birtwistle’s work is impacted by the darker aspects of art history such as the black paintings by Francisco Goya. The intensity of Goya’s work have guided her practice and she often incorporates similar themes of uncomfortably and mystery into her own designs. The result is a body of work that is both self reflecting and expressive, reflecting a moody, dreamlike layouts that challenge the boundaries of conventional design. 

Her design beliefs align with the idea that art should be a medium of expression for personal or commercial practice. She is drawn to folklore and myth. These narratives align with her creative process. This exploration allows her to create visuals that are meaningful as well as thought provoking. Birtwistle’s album cover and merchandise designs provide a visual experience that resonates with the artist, audience, and any client she is representing. By delving into the essence of the music and its themes, she crafts designs that complement and represent the emotional intensity of the sound. The gothic and grunge elements of her work add depth by reflecting the message of the music itself. Her work also incorporates retro aesthetics, which gives her designs a sense of nostalgia. This makes her surrealistic compositions feel more familiar to viewers. The result is a unique blend that speaks to a variety of people. 

Through her designs, Birtwistle strives to create worlds that are visually compelling and stimulating, seeking to provoke thought and evoke emotional responses. Each project is a new opportunity for exploration, where she blends personal passion with collaborations from clients and their personal narratives. In doing so, she pushes the boundaries of design while discovering new ways to visually communicate.

Rachel Birtwistle 

Bayonne, NJ

Graphic Designer & Fine Artist