About Rachel

Rachel Borgman is an artist working in traditional materials within her paintings and installations in an effort to conduct art historical investigations that inspire a vast narrative of reinterpretations through mimetic copies. She marries a conceptual approach to her traditional training and material knowledge. Her work is influenced by concepts in literature, history, and the visual arts that explore the idea of the” master artist”. She is currently a MFA graduate from the Mount Royal School… more

Velazquez Letter Investigations

Through this painting and installation, I create an imaginary narrative based on the blank letters Velazquez used as a signature throughout his painted oeuvre. I speculate that the letters are based in palpable, historical documents and that they might contain some secret knowledge on treatises on painting or traditional painting materials. Furthermore, these letters might reveal mysteries within the artist's biography. The painting copy gives breath to this investigation through the love and sincere appreciation for the artist that is contained within its execution.
  • velazquezletters8m.jpg
    velazquezletters8m.jpg
  • velazquezletter5m.jpg
    velazquezletter5m.jpg
  • velazquezletters10m.jpg
    velazquezletters10m.jpg
  • velazquezletters1m.jpg
    velazquezletters1m.jpg
  • borgman-3m.jpg
    borgman-3m.jpg
  • velazquezletter2m.jpg
    velazquezletter2m.jpg
  • borgman-2m.jpg
    borgman-2m.jpg
  • borgman_7s.jpg
    borgman_7s.jpg
  • borgman-5m.jpg
    borgman-5m.jpg

Equestrian Portrait of the Count-Duke Olivares: Tarjeta Postal Painting Tool

Through this painting and installation, I create an imaginary narrative based on the blank letters Velazquez used as a signature throughout his painted oeuvre. I speculate that the letters are based in palpable, historical documents and that they might contain some secret knowledge on treatises on painting or traditional painting materials. Furthermore, these letters might reveal mysteries within the artist's biography. The painting copy gives breath to this investigation through the love and sincere appreciation for the artist that is contained within its execution.
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    tarjetapostal4m.jpg
  • tarjetapostal5m.jpg
    tarjetapostal5m.jpg
  • tarjetapostal3m.jpg
    tarjetapostal3m.jpg
  • tarjetapostal2m.jpg
    tarjetapostal2m.jpg
  • tarjetaolivaresm.jpg
    tarjetaolivaresm.jpg
  • tarjetapostalm.jpg
    tarjetapostalm.jpg

St. Thomas Aquinas Drawing Tool After Summa Theologica

Through this painting and installation, I create an imaginary narrative based on the blank letters Velazquez used as a signature throughout his painted oeuvre. I speculate that the letters are based in palpable, historical documents and that they might contain some secret knowledge on treatises on painting or traditional painting materials. Furthermore, these letters might reveal mysteries within the artist's biography. The painting copy gives breath to this investigation through the love and sincere appreciation for the artist that is contained within its execution.
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    stthomasaquinas5m.jpg
  • stthomasaquinas3m.jpg
    stthomasaquinas3m.jpg
  • stthomasaquinas2m.jpg
    stthomasaquinas2m.jpg
  • stthomasaquinas7m.jpg
    stthomasaquinas7m.jpg
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    stthomasaquinas6m.jpg

The Emmaus X-Radiography

Through this painting and installation, I create an imaginary narrative based on the blank letters Velazquez used as a signature throughout his painted oeuvre. I speculate that the letters are based in palpable, historical documents and that they might contain some secret knowledge on treatises on painting or traditional painting materials. Furthermore, these letters might reveal mysteries within the artist's biography. The painting copy gives breath to this investigation through the love and sincere appreciation for the artist that is contained within its execution.
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    emmaus16m.jpg
  • emmaus7m.jpg
    emmaus7m.jpg
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    emmaus13m.jpg
  • emmaus5m.jpg
    emmaus5m.jpg
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    emmaus12m.jpg
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    emmaus18m.jpg
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    emmaus1m.jpg

The Cleaning of Linen by Pablo de Valladolid

Through this painting and installation, I create an imaginary narrative based on the blank letters Velazquez used as a signature throughout his painted oeuvre. I speculate that the letters are based in palpable, historical documents and that they might contain some secret knowledge on treatises on painting or traditional painting materials. Furthermore, these letters might reveal mysteries within the artist's biography. The painting copy gives breath to this investigation through the love and sincere appreciation for the artist that is contained within its execution.
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    linen1m.jpg
  • linen2m.jpg
    linen2m.jpg

A Quote for Margarita

Through this painting and installation, I create an imaginary narrative based on the blank letters Velazquez used as a signature throughout his painted oeuvre. I speculate that the letters are based in palpable, historical documents and that they might contain some secret knowledge on treatises on painting or traditional painting materials. Furthermore, these letters might reveal mysteries within the artist's biography. The painting copy gives breath to this investigation through the love and sincere appreciation for the artist that is contained within its execution.
  • mar1m.jpg
    mar1m.jpg
  • margaritabookm.jpg
    margaritabookm.jpg
  • mar2m.jpg
    mar2m.jpg
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    mar4s.jpg