About
Rachael Delaney received her B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her M.F.A. in Metalsmithing from SUNY New Paltz, her research and art making focuses on addressing contemporary social and environmental issues through primarily fiber-based practices. Her approach to artmaking begins with a deep dive into an issue or concept followed by an exploration and testing of materials that could be used to best support the ideas she is intending to convey in her artwork. Most recently, Rachael’s artwork has centered on studying invasive plant species and their impact on native species including their remarkable adaptability to climate change. The use of the sewing machine to construct thread drawings that are then molded into three-dimensional sculptures references the long history of plants being valued for their domesticated decorative obedience.
Rachael has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. In addition to working as an artist she is also a tenured professor at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado where she teaches studio art and art education classes. As an educator Rachael has presented regionally and nationally to provide an alternative framework for bringing contemporary art practices and conceptual works of art into the K-12 art classroom.