Renowned artist Rachel Lancaster, who studied on the Foundation Diploma at The Northern School of Art when it was known as Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD), is currently exhibiting alongside her twin sister and fellow artist Laura Lancaster at Baltic in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

The must-see show called Remember, Somewhere is the first time paintings by the Hartlepool-born sisters have been displayed together in a major exhibition and highlights how each of them has developed their own distinctive style, while drawing on shared inspirations.

Rachel takes her inspiration from film stills, particularly from films of the 1980s and 1990s. She homes in on small, intimate details, such as the curve of a neck, or an arm draped across a cardigan, and enlarges them in her paintings.  The deliberate ambiguity in her paintings invites viewers to pause, revealing the quiet tension and beauty that often exists in the spaces between a film’s main action.

Rachel Lancaster, ‘Arms Reach’, 2024, Oil on canvas, 60 x 55cm. Image Credit: Courtesy the Artist and Workplace, UK

Rachel Lancaster, ‘Nights That Followed’, 2024, 60 x 50 cm Courtesy the Artist and Workplace UK

We caught up with Rachel to find out more about her time as a student at our Middlesbrough campus, which was then in Green Lane, and asked for her tips for emerging artists, her thoughts on the benefits of being a north east artist and how she feels about her latest exhibition.

• When were you a student at Cleveland College of Art and Design and what subject did you study?

We studied at CCAD from 1997 to 1998 on the BTEC National Diploma in Foundation Studies course. My sister and I then specialised in Fine Art before attending Northumbria University 1998-2001.

• Who taught you and were there any especially memorable teachers?

We had a number of teachers due to the nature of the Foundation studies course – I especially remember Andy Hawkins (Fine Art) and Phil Rodriguez who taught us photography and some contextual studies/art history/design.

• What impact did your time at CCAD have on your future as a creative or generally in life?

I really enjoyed my time at CCAD – it was the first time I’d studied art full time and it was then I realised I definitely wanted a career in the arts. It was a great learning experience. During the foundation course we had tasters of various creative practices – photography, textiles, graphics etc. It was there where I decided to specialise in Fine Art (painting) which I have pursued ever since!

• Any standout, funny or poignant memories of your time at college?

It was great to be surrounded by like minded people during my time at CCAD. I especially enjoyed the field trips out to galleries and other cities. I met some lifelong friends during my time there! Paul Smith (Maximo Park), who also studied on the foundation course and was in our Fine Art class, is one of our closest friends.

• What tips do you have for young creatives and artists starting out today?

I would say to stay curious and try to be open minded- follow your ideas and where they need to take you! Keep making, put in the work and be patient. Find likeminded people who you can bounce ideas off and discuss your work with. See as much work/art as you can in the flesh!

• You’re from Hartlepool and you studied and now practice in the North East – what do consider to be the benefits of being an artist in the region?

Being based in Newcastle is great as it is a small but vibrant city. On a practical level studio spaces are larger and cheaper than other cities and there is a vibrant community of creatives. 

I am proud to be from the region and I have shown my work nationally and internationally. I think of myself as based in the north east but my practice as being part of a much wider context and art world.

• Your exhibition is amazing, how does it feel to be displaying such a big body of work in a North East location?

It’s really exciting and validating as a painter to be given such an amazing gallery space to show in. The trust, commitment and support from Baltic given to myself and Laura has been amazing.

Find out more about Rachel Lancaster and her work HERE. She is on Instagram @rachel_lancaster