About
Sales
For general sales enquires speak to Aleph Contemporary. Some of my artworks are available to buy online, to browse visit Rise Art or Artsy.
Biography
Rachel lives and works in London, UK
Born in Cambridgeshire, Mercer studied at Cardiff School of Art and Design graduating in 2012 before being awarded the postgraduate programme at The Royal Drawing School. Since 2014 she has been a painter working in London. She has exhibited in the UK and China. Stand-out exhibitions include: Christie's London, 2013, Mercer Chance Gallery and Mandell's Gallery in 2018, San Mei Gallery in 2019, Fitzrovia Gallery 2022 and Aleph Contemporary in 2023. Shortlisted for the Ruth Borchard Prize (2021) and Waverton Art prize (2022) and prize winner of the Hampstead Art Society prize (2022), she has had work purchased for the Royal Collection by HM The Prince of Wales.
Mercer’s paintings juxtapose everyday scenes and classical themes creating haunting images where the subject fades into the sensuality of the medium. The figures in her work move and dissolve across the canvas, simultaneously creating a sense of disappearance and presence.
CV
Education
Postgraduate Diploma, The Royal Drawing School 2013
Bachelor Degree (First Class Hons), Cardiff Metropolitan University 2012
Foundation Diploma (Distinction), Cardiff Metropolitan University 2008
Grants and Awards
Awards and Residencies
April 2023 - Shortlisted for NEAC prizes
August 2022 – Two-week residency at Dumfries House Ayrshire awarded by Royal Drawing School
June 2022 – Shortlisted for the Waverton Art Prize
May 2019 -Shortlisted for Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize
October 2019 – Covid relief bursary awarded by Bow Arts.
June 2019 – Two-month Residency in Chengdu, China awarded by The Royal Drawing School (London) and Elm Education (China) in partnership with San Mei Gallery, London.
June 2015 Artist in Residence - North London Collegiate School.
September 2014 – 2-week residency at Dumfries House Scotland awarded by The Royal Drawing School.
2011, Artistic development bursary, awarded by Cardiff Metropolitan University
Selected Exhibitions
June 2023 - NEAC annual exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
Jan 2023 - Zimmer Stuart Gallery at King Edward VII's hospital, London
Dec 2022- 'Bread and Games', 3 person show. Aleph Contemporary, Hatton Garden, London
July 2022 - 'As it was, As it will be = As it is' 5 person show, Fitzrovia Gallery, London
June 2022- Hampstead Society Art Prize, Fitzrovia Gallery
October 2021- Bow Open, Nunnery Gallery, London
Sept 2021- ‘Within Without’ Two-Person Show, Crypt Gallery, London
May 2021 – Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize, Coventry Cathedral
Dec 2020 – ‘This is Where We Meet’ Group exhibition at Carousel Gallery, London (Selected Guardian exhibition of the week)
Sept 2020/2021- Art Car Boot Fair (Virtual exhibition). Online art fair.
July 2020- ‘Reaction in Seclusion’ – Virtual group exhibition
June 2020- ‘Inside Out’ – Solo exhibition of works on paper, Ramsgate, UK
Dec 2019 - ‘Fresh Eyes’ San Mei Gallery, London
Sept 2019 – ‘Fresh Eyes’ Yiie Gallery, Chengdu China.
May 2019 – Group Show Mendell’s Gallery, Norwich
October 2018 - ‘Babes in the Orchard' - Joint show at Mercer Chance Gallery, London
March 2018- Group exhibition ‘Through the Looking Glass: contemporary Self Portraits’, Mercer Chance Gallery.
October 2017 - Joint Exhibition with Enya Lachman-Curl, Mercer Chance Gallery, London
