Rachel Sharpe is an American painter who was born in Seattle and is now based in Los Angeles. She danced ballet professionally at the age of eleven and previously studied philosophy at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. A self-taught painter, Sharpe’s oil paintings carry a great attention to detail, enhanced by dramatic chiaroscuro lighting and a focus on textures and corporeal elements.
Sharpe’s use of chiaroscuro is reminiscent of the work of Caravaggio and Goya, but finds influence in the literature she reads, especially in her personal experiences. Sharpe detaches her subject matter from a larger narrative, and attains focus into that particular object or being to highlight the meaning of existence.
Her work was the focus of the solo exhibition ‘Epidermal Dress’ at de boer gallery (Los Angeles, 2023). She has also participated in group shows such as ‘Hat Trick’ at Rusha & Co., (Los Angeles, 2023).