Golders Green artist’s tactile creations

Rachel Dein has developed a unique process to create something a little bit different

Rachel Dein discovered sculpture as an art student at Middlesex University. Now, her love of the practice has led her to create Tactile Studio. From her home in Temple Fortune, Dein creates beautiful plaster casts that have found favour among people looking for something a little bit different to grace their walls.

Dein will exhibit her work in Hampstead Garden Suburb early next month. Her creations are made by pressing objects into clay and using an extra-hard white British plaster called Crystacal R to create a cast of the clay.

The exhibit will be entirely flower casts, although Dein has also cast, on commission, many other objects. “One woman asked me if I could create portraits for her family, using the objects that they felt reflected them. The husband liked chess, so chess pieces were involved in his, and the young son’s was all Moshi Monsters and toy cars.”

After university, Dein worked for a long stretch as a propmaker for the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera, among others. After giving up the irregular hours to have children, dein was determined to get back into the ‘making’ that she enjoyed so much.

The term ‘tactile’ is completely fitting- these delicate and understated creations look like they were made to touch.

www.tactilestudio.co.uk

The exhibition is on December 3 at the Garden Suburb Gallery, Fellowship House 136a Willifield Way NW11 .Kochi Okada, a jeweller, will also be showing.