Rachel Reckitt’s work is celebrated at The Museum of Somerset until 15 March. She was one of the few artist blacksmiths in the UK, known for her diverse artistic output. The exhibition aims to reveal more of her creations, as well as to honour her contributions during the war and in farming.
An exhibition celebrating the work of pioneering blacksmith artist Rachel Reckitt is now on display at The Museum of Somerset, running until 15 March. Reckitt (1908-1995) was one of the few women artist blacksmiths in the UK, creating an extensive body of work that included paintings, sculptures, wood engravings, and iron works. Sarah Cox, exhibitions and programme manager, hopes the exhibition will uncover more of Reckitt’s hidden creations. During her lifetime, she also contributed to the war effort in London, recording bomb-damaged scenery through her art, while being actively engaged in farming. Her niece, acclaimed author Dame Penelope Lively, expressed delight at the exhibition, praising Reckitt’s versatility and influence in her life.
Rachel Reckitt was a notable modernist artist whose work spanned multiple artistic disciplines. Living in west Somerset for six decades, she emerged as a rare female figure in the traditionally male-dominated field of blacksmithing. Her methodology involved observation and experience during a tumultuous historical period, especially in relation to the Second World War, which deeply influenced her art.
The exhibition at The Museum of Somerset not only highlights Rachel Reckitt’s contributions to the arts but also aims to increase awareness of her work among broader audiences. Reckitt’s legacy as an innovator in art and her role as a pioneering woman in blacksmithing are key themes that this exhibition seeks to emphasise.
Original Source: www.bbc.com