Rachel Whiteread

Rachel Whiteread was born on April 20th, 1963

Full Name: Rachel Whiteread

Nationality: British

Profession: Sculptor

Born: April 20, 1963

Notable Works: House, Embankment

Awards: Turner Prize

Style: Abstract, Minimalist

Medium: Cast concrete, Resin

A British artist renowned for her large-scale sculptures that explore the relationship between space, memory, and the human experience, often casting the empty spaces within and around everyday objects.

Written by:

Oliver Wren

Rachel Whiteread: The Pioneer of Casting Sculptures

Rachel Whiteread is a renowned English artist celebrated for her innovative sculptures, which typically take the form of casts. She made history in 1993 by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Turner Prize.

Early Life and Education

Rachel Whiteread was born on April 20, 1963, in Ilford, Essex. Her mother, Patricia Whiteread, was also an artist, and her father, Thomas Whiteread, was a geography teacher and a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party. Whiteread's family played a significant role in nurturing her creative talent from a young age.

She took a workshop on casting with sculptor Richard Wilson, which sparked her interest in exploring the possibilities of casting objects.
She briefly attended the Cyprus College of Art before enrolling in the Slade School of Art, University College, London, where she earned an MA in sculpture in 1987.

The Artistic Journey

Whiteread's artistic career began in 1987, with her first solo exhibition taking place in 1988. She worked as an invigilator at the Serpentine Gallery and even took on an unconventional job of fixing lids back onto time-damaged coffins in Highgate Cemetery.

Her unique approach to casting led to the creation of some of her most renowned works, including:

House, a large concrete cast of the inside of an entire Victorian house.
The Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial in Vienna, resembling the shelves of a library with the pages turned outwards.
Untitled Monument, a resin sculpture for the empty fourth plinth in London's Trafalgar Square.

Awards and Honors

Whiteread's contributions to the art world have been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors, including:

Appointment as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2006.
Appointment as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to art.
Winning the Turner Prize in 1993, becoming the first woman to do so.

Personal Life

Rachel Whiteread lives and works in a former synagogue in east London with her long-term partner and fellow sculptor, Marcus Taylor. The couple has two sons together.

Through her innovative approach to casting and her commitment to exploring new forms of sculpture, Rachel Whiteread continues to inspire and influence artists around the world.

Timeline

1963

Born in London

English sculptor Rachel Whiteread was born on April 20, 1963, in London, England.

1990

Graduated from Slade School of Fine Art

Whiteread graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art, where she studied sculpture.

1993

Became first woman to win the Turner Prize

Whiteread became the first woman to win the prestigious Turner Prize for her sculpture House.

2006

Installed Embankment at Tate Modern

Whiteread installed her famous sculpture Embankment at the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern museum in London.

2012

Represented Britain at Venice Biennale

Whiteread represented Britain at the 2012 Venice Biennale, where she exhibited her sculptures and installations.

Rachel Whiteread Quiz

What is a common theme explored in Rachel Whiteread's sculptures?

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FAQ

What is Rachel Whitereads artistic style?

Rachel Whiteread is a British sculptor known for her large-scale, site-specific installations that explore themes of space, memory, and the relationship between the public and private spheres.

What is Rachel Whitereads most famous work?

Rachel Whitereads most famous work is House (1993), a large-scale sculpture of the interior of a condemned London house, which won the Turner Prize in 1993.

What is Rachel Whitereads creative process?

Rachel Whitereads creative process involves careful observation and study of the spaces she works with, often using casts and molds to create her sculptures, which can take months or even years to complete.

Has Rachel Whiteread exhibited her work internationally?

Yes, Rachel Whiteread has exhibited her work internationally, including solo exhibitions at the Tate Britain, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Musée dArt Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

What awards has Rachel Whiteread won?

Rachel Whiteread has won several prestigious awards, including the Turner Prize in 1993, the Käthe Kollwitz Prize in 2012, and the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2016.

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