She developed a liking for rooks
Bowes Museum

Commissioned by the Bowes Centre for a group exhibition at Bowes Museum (November 2018 – January 2019).

The Bowes Museum was conceived by John and Joséphine Bowes. Joséphine laid the first stone in 1869, but both would not live to see the completion of their building. 

As part of the residency, Rachel researched and developed a commission in response to Joséphine’s health, who during the museum build, grew sicker and continued taking potassium sulphide baths laced with sulphuric acid that turned her nails black; ‘she grew ever more neurotic, she was terrified of mice but developed a liking for rooks’.

The final installation was a sound piece and drawings on the windows, that cast shadows throughout the Lady Ludlow Gallery.