Rachel Lebo
I aM Rachel, but let’s be emily

October 7 - November 19, 2022
Opening Reception October 7, 5-8 PM

Short story fiction has played a large role in Rachel Lebo’s work since reading A.M. Homes’ Chunky in Heat and meeting a character called Cheryl for the first time. Since then, she has looked at her works as operating similarly to short stories, using color, emphasis on certain details, and characters in order to float as close as she can to the point without ever introducing a plot. The final paintings reflect a multi-faceted collaboration between Rachel, the subjects of the works, characters from short story fiction, and their authors.

In this particular body of work, I am Rachel, but let’s be Emily, Rachel thinks about the potential energy of your teenage years when everything feels heightened and words cannot explain.

Bio

Rachel Lebo grew up on the east coast in Baltimore County, Maryland. She currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, working across media in painting, sculpture, and story-telling. She likes to step into other characters in order to explore ideas and herself.

In 2019, Rachel received her MFA in visual arts from Washington University in St. Louis. She is the recipient of The Ernestine Betsberg and Arthur Osver Scholarship, a Dubinsky Scholarship to study at the Fine Arts Work Center, The Graduate School Production Grant, and The Graduate Student Travel Grant. She has been featured in All the Art magazine, and has shown in Richmond, Baltimore, and around the St. Louis area.

Rachel currently enjoys teaching at Maryville University and works as a wedding DJ on the weekends.