Rachel Megawhat is a London-based British artist. Now primarily working as an oil painter, she previously had a successful photographic career. She is currently working on a series of paintings of London. These small oils, described by some as dystopian depict small slices of London life.
Self-taught or art school?
I started out as a photographers assistant in my teens. I did a foundation art school year in my 20s and a part-time MA in my 30s, so a big mixture really. I have been consistently painting and photographing throughout my life.
If you could own one work of art?
Vox Angelica -Max Ernst. I would also very much like to own a horse coin from the Catuvellauni tribe– I like portable art. That’s 2 I know but it’s a difficult question.
How would you describe your style?
I’ve been referring to this set of paintings as normcore paintings. I’ve been told they also fit in the genre of grim urban art, best comment so far was “Sort of south London Edward Hopper” but I would not be so bold myself.
Is narrative important within your work?
Yes very much. I think Narrative should be both everything and nothing in art. By that I mean each picture has a story and each combination of pictures tells another story but also I want each image to stand on its own as an art object with no knowledge of the deeper narratives.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Max Ernst because his paintings just make sense to me, and I am a big fan of JSG Boggs the money artist for his work on the nature of value.
What or who inspires your art?
This series of paintings is inspired by the city around me. They were made during the winter 20/21 lockdown. They depict urban landscapes around the south London areas of Kennington and Nine Elms. As life around me in London became increasingly nonsensical I thought the most surreal thing might be to paint things exactly as they are. They are me trying to make sense of the nonsensical situation of living in a locked-down city where luxury construction continues unimpeded.
Where is your studio and what’s it like?
I work from home – it’s half my living room – it’s quite a small flat so great for making small paintings!
What are you working on currently?
I have just put 20 paintings from this series on show in “Art in the Age of Now” an exhibition at Fulham Town Hall which is opening when lockdown ends. I am also working on some pictures for the Art Car Boot Fair in May.
Where can we buy your art?
I have been invited back to sell with the pop-up Art Car Boot Fair artcarbootfair.com again this May.
I can also be contacted via my website www.somethingtoseehere.com instagram.com/somethingtoseehere
