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We’re pleased to announce that September’s recipient of the Creatives Grant is Rachael Button. Rachael is a fashion photographer based in the South West of England, and is a recent graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. I know we say this about every recipient, but obviously we think her work is great. So dreamy and grainy, she manages to capture those subtle, fleeting moments that happen just as you blink – then they’re gone. Her work is bound together by an interest in Girlishness, a word I’m using with a critical capital G. The Girlish as an aesthetic signifier, a vibe and a mood rather than a distinct formal category or something as cynical as a visual style. In the way the images are colour graded, framed, softly blurred. It makes her work feel crunchy and compelling, satisfying and rewarding to look at. It’s also something I am endlessly fascinated by, unable to settle it into a neat shape in my mind, so coming across her work was personally and professionally exciting. We hope you enjoy her work as much as we do!
BIO: Rachael Button is a photographer from the South West of England. Her work embodies a distinct femininity and serves as a personal journey through the complexities of womanhood. Often, she chooses her close friends as subjects, aiming to capture genuine moments while maintaining a careful thought into composition. Although the innocence of her subjects may be mistaken for vulnerability, a closer look reveals a subtle, inner strength and defiance reflected in their gaze.
In the past, Rachael has delved into personal themes such as sisterhood and her experience as a twin, as well as engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the representation of curly hair. Her series, Admire From Afar, is currently being showcased in an online exhibition, Hair: Untold Stories, at FACE x Horniman Museum, where she explores the intricate connection between hair and identity. Furthermore, her series, Missy, delves into the theme of the infantilisation of women. In this collection, Rachael reimagines female nursery rhyme characters in adulthood, aiming to confront the demeaning way in which some men belittle and underestimate women’s capabilities.
Rachael’s approach isn’t centred around fancy equipment or technical expertise; instead, she embraces the simplicity of film photography and the spontaneity of point-and-shoot cameras. Her work cherishes the heart of each moment without getting lost in the technical details.
A year following her graduation with First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Commercial Photography from Arts University Bournemouth, Rachael has an exciting portfolio of work behind her and is eager to embark on her artistic career journey.
