The Art of Rachel Harvey
Images: @artist_named_nobody, collage: @laurenelburns
Black, Queer artist, Rachel Harvey AKA, @artist_named_nobody on Instagram, positively radiates messages of feminism and inclusivity through her portraits of black women, and revolutionises art for the digital world in the process. She shares her artistry with her ever-growing 1.4K Instagram followers; proving the popularity and accessibility of her work as it harnesses social media to spread relatable, important messages and chooses to centralise black women instead of omitting them from the artistic limelight.
Looking at Rachel’s work, and online presence in general, there is an evident and undeniable aura of self-love and inclusivity. She’s a creative who is clearly dedicated to lifting others up, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality or appearance. A practice she channels into her paintings especially. Which is, ultimately, the role art ought to play. Rachel frequently imbibes self-love-related-quotes, such as ‘The Way You Talk to Yourself Matters’, ‘I Don’t Owe You Shit’ and ‘You Are Enough’ within her art. The addition of these words clarifies the messages being expressed, and drills them home; emphasising the criticality of self-love for all, powerfully.
Art: Rachel Harvey, @artist_named_nobody
These empowering themes are painted confidently, and are unafraid to stand out in bold, bright colours. Rachel’s style has changed over time, beginning with softer hues before exploring drawing digitally. Now Rachel’s artwork is full of yellows, greens, purples and blues which make the pieces distinctive and eye-catching. They highlight the importance of owning all that you are, and being unafraid to be seen in full-colour. Also echoing Pop Art and merging themes of fantasy and realism using colour and technical style.
Through Rachel’s work itself, beauty is redefined. We see women with vitiligo, for example. As well as Ancient Egyptians and Black history represented as they were in reality, instead of being white-washed, which they all-too-often are. In a post on her Instagram, Rachel stated that she aims to: ‘paint images of not only different shades of black people, but black people with different visual features, genders, physical abilities, religious clothing, sexual orientations, body weights and so on.’ Showing her dedication to evolving her work and displaying beauty, specifically black beauty, in all its forms. By representing as many people as possible, Rachel is doing her part to change the societal narrative around what the word ‘beautiful’ itself even means, by painting the word as she sees it. We come away from her work knowing that everyone belongs in that broad, ‘beautiful’ category, regardless of their identity or appearance.
But it’s not just painting and prints that Artist Named Nobody creates. You can also visit Rachel’s website where you will find an array of sustainably produced garments, jewellery and notebooks, as well as prints for sale, all designed by Rachel and featuring her gorgeous art.
Art: Rachel Harvey, @artist_named_nobody
Art which is inspiring to look at given Rachel’s focus on black women, and its redefinition of society’s rigid beauty standards. We see beauty in all forms through Rachel’s work, instead of through the narrow, limited lens we are most used to in our glossy magazines and works of art. It’s an acknowledgment that everyone, regardless of their identity, can be the subject of a portrait, that everyone should be painted - which is invaluable.
All of this is displayed in Artist Named Nobody’s signature style. Bright and bold, Rachel’s artwork is not subtle. It’s made to be seen loudly, to amplify often unheard voices and, ultimately, to celebrate the beautiful faces of black women. It spreads messages of self-love, feminism and equality and is empowering to see, as well as being aesthetically striking. Which is exactly what modern, 21st-century art, channelled from Instagram and the internet directly to our living room walls, should do.
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Visit the links below to find out more about Rachel’s art and her amazing work!
by Lauren Burns (editor)
Follow Artist Named Nobody on Instagram
Follow Rachel on Instagram
Visit Rachel’s Website Here
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