Discover the debut art exhibition by Rachel Noonan at Common Circus Studios
This February, Hamilton-based creative space, Common Circus Studios is playing host to an incredibly unique debut exhibition by Newcastle-based self-taught abstract artist, Rachel Noonan.
Reflections will present Rachel’s colourful collection of work by reflecting on special moments in time and rekindling feelings of gratefulness, joy, and contentment. Rachel invites you along to experience this special exhibition on the 11th of February and browse her work and discover the pop-up floral store by Daisy May Bouquet.
To learn all about the upcoming exhibition, we dropped by Rachel’s home studio to learn all about her creative process, her inspiration, and what exactly you can expect from Reflections.
Born and bred in the Hunter region, Rachel spent her early years completing a business degree majoring in marketing before moving into the world of teaching. A career she has built on for the past 20 years.
Whilst teaching is certainly a passion for Rachel, her creative flair has been a part of her identity since childhood with her mother, Helen, reminiscing…
“I would collect all the things that I could like paints, cardboard, and newspaper, and she would take it out to the shed and would just make things. That was all she ever did, she would just go out to the shed and make all sorts of things.”
Speaking with Rachel, she recounts her early years booked into visual art classes, pursuing the creative arts in her high school years, even considering a degree in graphic design, and creating a stall alongside her mum at our very own Olive Tree Markets.
“I’m obsessed with textiles. I started collecting lots of fabrics and did lots of trips overseas and went bananas with fabric. I had collected all of these beautiful fabrics so I was thinking about what I could do with them. I can’t sew to save my life, but Mum can.
“So, we started making some cushions and selling those alongside some of my art and jewellery at our stall at The Olive Tree Market. It was our outlet that we would do on the weekends occasionally.”
Putting their market stall on hold, Rachel had a bit of a break in her creative pursuits until purchasing her Charlestown home seven years ago which had its very own backyard studio; an opportunity encouraging her to dip those toes back into that creative side.
Come covid time, Rachel found herself spending all of her time at home, giving her the chance to get back into the creative groove and making the most of the at-home studio.
“I started doing little bits when I had time just for the sake of having a creative outlet. I was able to really start delving back in when I was pregnant and focus on finishing off this whole collection.
“I had lots of little bits and pieces there sitting for a while, so I started overworking them, layering them, and building up that texture. I was really focussing on refining my technique, and this collection has come about.”
The collection will feature 15 originals of varying sizes with one consistent theme; colour.
“Colour brings me so much joy and I love it. I love colourful rugs, I love colourful artworks, and I love colourful clothes.”
Walking through the Noonan family home, you can see exactly where Rachel's inspiration lies. The walls are filled with beautiful pieces of art that have been collected over the years, pieces of her own handmade weavings, as well as pockets of colour dotted throughout in the kitchen splashback, on the rug, and with unique homeware pieces throughout.
“My work is bold and vibrant; I use a lot of textures and layering. I start with lots of markings, then go over with ink and let them flow then I tend to go over them with acrylic. Then over the top with ink again. It’s just about finding the balance between the different materials.
“The alcohol inks are really good for being able to put on top of your acrylics and creating a different element again. My work is experimental and intuitive.”
Wanting to make art accessible for anyone and everyone, Rachel is excited to join the growing list of local self-taught artists developing unique decorative art pieces for the home. Get along to this one-of-a-kind exhibition, browse Reflections, and explore the pop-up stall by Daisy May Bouquets on Saturday, 11th February.
Reflections by Rachel Noonan
Where: Common Circus Studios | 148 Denison St, Hamilton
When: 11 Feb | 11am-2pm
More Info: click here
