Rachel Dawson

This work is inspired by 19th and 20th century spirit photography, specifically of female mediums producing ectoplasmic materializations. These works on paper explore the materialization phenomena of ectoplasm as artistic production.

20 women artists participated in an art-making project. In dipping, crumpling, and folding the paper in clay slip, can the artist transfer and embed presence? The objects are kiln fired, burning out the original paper. All that remains is a record of a gesture.The pieces are then presented to a psychic for a reading. Check out my Psychic Reading Sculpture Video.

I am curious in investigating the source of repeated imagery in my art work. So, I decided to visit a past-life regression therapist. In seeking answers, I found another void.