The Most Cake// Art Party… meet the artists – Rachel Bevis

by Lemon Tart

Rachel Bevis is a bit multi-talented – not only is she DJing at our night tomorrow (aka Gay for Disco), she’s also displaying her fantastic photography at the party.

Introducing Rachel… in her own words…

History:

It was 1994 that I first ventured into photography, making my own black and white prints at school, the smell of the chemicals was addictive! But it wasn’t until I moved back to London from university 10 years later, on the dole and going to gigs every night taking pictures of bands that I really got into taking pictures regularly. I went on to be picture editor at Artrocker for 4 years, and then started taking photos for Vice. Now I’m working on various freelance documentary projects.
Before I started taking band photos I would never take portraits or include people in my work. Now it’s almost exactly the opposite. I suppose that’s the evolution of an artist.

Inspiration:

I take my inspiration from finding the beauty in the ordinary. I’ve dedicated my work to showing things for that they really are, which if you look hard enough, is essentially beautiful. I am inspired by the moment; I never plan photographs, I could never work in a studio taking 500 shots of the same thing until I got the ’perfect’ shot. The image has to be spontaneous or all the magic disappears. I don’t crop pictures, the composition is made through the lens in the moment.

Art to me:

It’s as if I am watching life as it happens like a movie. Day to day, reels and reels of moving snap shots and taking pictures is like hitting the pause button. It can be as simple as a pair of shoes. My mood, my surroundings – my work reflects my state of mind.

I’m by no means critical of work with hidden meanings and subtlety, but my work is very much ‘what you see is what you get’. I adopt the same attitude to life and to my friends. I couldn’t exist any other way.

Artist I’d like to meet:

My choice changes depending what I’m working on. But right now, without a doubt, it would be Nan Goldin. Her understanding of colour, composition – I respect and admire everything about her.

Which cake:

Anything that makes you go ‘”oooh, I really shouldn’t”, but you do anyway, on the sly!

You can view Rachel’s website here, and see her art tomorrow at the Most Cake party.