Rachel Hirabayashi

Rachel was born in Auckland 1965, one of identical twins. She studied printing then later worked in Auckland as a commercial artist/graphic designer. This included work as an in-house artist for a children’s book publisher and an illustrator/designer in a Parnell design company.
Overseas travel took her to Europe and Japan, where she stayed on for an extensive time. Shifting back to New Zealand she chose to live in the South Island, Queenstown. She continued with graphic design work and later moved to Dunedin to a Bachelors degree in art history/theory.
She travelled to South America, the USA and on to Mexico where she lived for 6 months. Studying Spanish was inspirational as was the time spent painting and drawing.
On returning to Central Otago Rachel settled in Cromwell in a 100 year old cottage and now with her three dogs and a large garden.
In 2002 she won the Locations Painting Award at the Lakes District Museum Autumn Exhibition and has been involved in several public art displays and shows since. In conjunction with Springbank General Metalwork she gained the commission from Aspiring Arts Trust to create a sculpture for Arrowtown. ‘Workings’ is in place on the corner of Ramsay Lane and Buckingham Street.

Rachel's Work:
The surface of the canvas is where she endeavours to intermesh an idea with a recognizable visual form. Layers of pigment and paint act as a filter for her feelings for a place.
Most images are based on a memory, something that has made an impression upon her either visually or emotionally.