Rachel McKnight
Rachel McKnight designs and produces necklaces, bangles, rings and brooches in plastics and rubber. Her practice is driven by the excitement of sourcing and experimenting with new materials, inspiring her to produce original and innovative sculptural pieces.
McKnight utilises new technologies such as laser cutting, enabling her to develop intricate designs. She is interested in combining man-made, industrial products with delicate and traditional patterns. Simple and uncomplicated shapes are at the essence of McKnight’s jewellery and she continually explores ways to reproduce these shapes in her work. The work is also influenced by the contrast between transparent and opaque colour. Plastic materials allow her to explore this contrast in detail.
McKnight graduated from the University of Ulster in Belfast in 2003.
Collections
University of Ulster
Selected Awards
2009 | Creative Industries Innovation Fund, Arts Council of Northern Ireland |
2008 | RDS National Crafts Competition, 1st Place in the Jewellery category |
2005-2007 | Craft NI’s “Making It” Programme |
2007 | Export Grant from CARD |
2005 | RDS National Crafts Competition, 1st Place in the Jewellery category |
Selected Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2011 | Solo Show, Galerie Caractere, Neuchatel, Switzerland |
Group Exhibitions and Fairs
2012 | The ART of CRAFT EXHIBITION, Armagh |
2011 | SEOID 11, Pieces of Eight, Melbourne; Studio 20/17, Sydney, Australia, 21st Century Icons, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ornament, Rua Red, Dublin |
2010 | MATERIALPoetry, The American Irish Historical Society, New York, USA, Quartet, SpaceCRAFT, Belfast, Embracing Technology, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Design Shop, Royal Exchange, Manchester, UK |
2009 | Rememberrings – 1 Year On, Galerie Beeld; Aambeeld, Enscede, The Netherlands |
2008 | Rememberrings, Galerie Beeld; Aambeeld, Enscede, The Netherlands, 50 Rings, SpaceCRAFT, Belfast, Image of Longing, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Whispers, Royal Birmingham Society of Arts, UK, Going Green, SpaceCRAFT, Belfast; Dundalk Arts Centre, Co. Louth |
2007 | Made, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK, County Down Crafts Annual Exhibition, SpaceCRAFT, Belfast, Embrace, Da Capo Goldsmiths, Dublin, Ecology, Mythology, Technology, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Emerge and Infuse, SpaceCRAFT, Belfast |
2006 | Adorn, Da Capo Goldsmiths, Dublin |
Gallery Representation
Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland
Gabi Green, Munich, Germany
Neuner Schmuck, Kitsbuhel, Austria
Lucia Odescalchi, Rome, Italy
Galerie Caractere, Neuchatel, Switzerland
Charon Kransen Arts, New York, USA
Snyderman-Works Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
Contact Details:
Rachel McKnight
23 Belvedere Manor
Belfast
Co. Antrim
BT9 6FT
T. +44 7815 745 303
E. info@rachelmcknight.com
www.rachelmcknight.com