Rachel McKnight
 

Born:

1980, Craigavon, Northern Ireland

Training / Education:

  • 1999-2000, Certificate in Foundation Studies, University of Ulster, Belfast
  • 2000-2003, BA(Hons) Fine and Applied Art, specializing in jewellery, University of Ulster, Belfast

Work Experience:

  • Southern Regional College, Teacher of Foundation Art, 2007-2008

Exhibitions (Solo & Group Shows):

  • "Rememberrings" Gallery Beeld & Aambeeld, Enschede, The Netherlands, 2008, Group
  • "50 Rings" Spacecraft, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2008, Group
  • "Image of Longing" National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland, 2008, Group
  • RDS National Crafts Competition Winner's Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland, 2008, Group
  • SOFA New York, repr. by Charon Kransen Arts USA
  • "Whispers" Royal Birmingham Society of Arts, England, March-May, 2008, Group
  • "Going Green" Space Craft, Belfast and Dundalk Arts Centre, Jan-April, 2008, Group
  • "Made" Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Yorkshire, England, Nov/Dec, 2007, Group
  • County Down Crafts Annual Exhibition, Space Craft, Belfast, Northern Ireland December, 2007, Group
  • "Embrace" Da Capo Goldsmiths, Dublin, Ireland, November, 2007, Group
  • "Ecology, Mythology, Technology", National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland October, 2007 , Group
  • "Emerge and Infuse", Spacecraft, Belfast, Northern Ireland October, 2007, Group
  • "Adorn" Da Capo Goldsmiths, Dublin, Ireland, November, 2006, Group
  • "Christmas Presence", Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, 2005, Group
  • "Inspired By….." CDC Exhibition, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, 2005, Group
  • "PIECE", Craftmark Exhibition, Down Arts Centre, NI & National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland, 2005/2006, Group
  • RDS National Crafts Competition Winner's Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland, 2005, Group

Awards / Grants:

  • Craft NI's "Making It" Programme. 2 Year Business Start-up Scheme, 2005-2007
  • Export Grant from CARD, 2007
  • 1st Place in the category - Jewellery (Non-Precious), RDS National Crafts Competition, 2005 and 2008
  • The Invest NI Start a Business Programme Grant, 2004

Collections (Private & Museum):

  • 2008 Acquisition National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
  • 2003 University of Ulster, Permanent Works of Art Collection, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Artist Statement:

My jewellery comprises necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings and brooches to form quirky creations in plastics and rubber. The excitement of sourcing new materials and the experimentation with them inspires me to produce original and innovative jewellery. Simple and uncomplicated shapes and the idea of duplicating these shapes also form the basis for my jewellery.