Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Occupation: Artist.
Instagram: @rachelbhayes.
Home Town: Kansas City, Missouri.
Studio Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Describe what you make: I create large-scale installations out of fabric that infuse color and form into architectural and natural environments.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: My installation at White Sands National Park in New Mexico. It was an installation where I brought a bunch of large sewn patchworks to lay on the white gypsum sand, only my family and I saw it in person, and it lives on in the photographs. To this day, those photos lead to interesting opportunities, including my recent collaboration with Armani.
Describe the problem your work solves: I’m often presented with a space that is not created for exhibitions, whether it’s an ancient water duct in Turkey, a desert landscape, or a light-filled atrium that never intended to hold art. I reimagine these disparate places to look like they were intended to do nothing but be there for art.
Share the project you are working on now: I am working on a permanent commission for an airport in South Dakota. It is a beautiful space, full of windows. The textiles will follow the light streams from sunrise to sunset, draping and layering throughout three stories. It’s sewn out of various organzas and colorful acetates, which will project colored shadows when the light passes through. I’ve been visiting my husband’s family farm in South Dakota for decades, and always bring artwork to photograph. These photos are the reference point for the palette, and this installation will have 56 different colors!
What you absolutely have to have in your studio: Headphones , incense, coffee, frozen burritos, rulers, scissors.
What you do when you’re not working: I read a lot of romantasy books any chance I can get! I save the longer epic 20+ hour audio books for my studio, but when I am home I continue the fun with a different story, both physical and digital. I always have a book to read on my phone, I’d rather do that then scroll. I keep one in the car for when I’m waiting in carpool lines for kids. I have a different one by my bed. I also have an amazing bookclub with my besties, so I’m usually juggling at least half a dozen books at a time. I also love looking for old books at thrift stores, estate sales and antique malls.
Also…I’m trying to regain my golf skills. I went to the state championship in high school, and now that my son is on his golf team I’m totally inspired again…I just-need-more-time!
Sources of creative envy (dead or alive): I love Sonia Delauney and thinking about her fashion and paintings. I also love Alexander Girard and how he blended his love textile designs and collecting objects into his projects. I’m inspired by anyone who has their hands in lots of different worlds and ways of working. Fashion color patterns, wall coverings, and furniture from Art Nouveau era are a favorite, and I have some beautiful books I’ve scored in my thrifting to reference.
The distraction you want to eliminate: I’d like to eliminate the clock, my work is so time consuming, adhering to a schedule is a distraction.
Concrete or marble? I recently spent time looking at marble slabs for my kitchen, and could make a case for each one… they were like paintings, so definitely Marble.
High-Rise Or Townhouse? Townhouse, I need to be able to get outside quickly.
Remember Or Forget? Remember, I’m very nostalgic.
Aliens Or Ghosts? Ghosts. I’d rather read about a paranormal romance than an alien one. I read Communion by Whitley Strieber when I was too young, and have been freaked out about aliens ever since.
Dark Or Light? My gut response says light, I can’t get enough. But, dark means the day is over and it’s time to relax, and I like to do that too.
