About me
Born and raised in Florida, my love for nature and art was founded. I was encouraged and eager to make art and then I never stopped. I received my bachelors degree in studio art from Florida State University in 2019. In 2023 I received my MFA from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2023. I currently live and work in Philadelphia doing multimedia art and teaching.
There is already another wonderful artist named Rachel Saunders who does ceramics work. I am not her <3 but Ridder is a family name and its alliterative, so Rachel Ridder it is.
“I have long immersed myself in the world of art, driven by an exploration of the interconnections between colors, emotions, shapes, and textures. As I traverse this theoretical landscape that straddles the realms of physical reality and mental abstraction, my goal is to build a space where viewers and I can mutually engage with the art, and interpret with curiosity.
Central to my creative process is synesthesia, a phenomenon where senses intertwine, leading my memories, emotions, and ideas to manifest as vivid amalgamations of shapes, colors, light, and texture. For instance, reminiscing about a past encounter might conjure a 3-dimensional fluid entity pulsating with hues of blues and pinks. To convey these intricate visualizations, I attempt to blend abstract elements with recognizable landscapes and objects, often rooted in nature. My goal remains to preserve familiarity while transcending the confines of reality.”
Artist Statement
rachelridder26@gmail.com
Wanna read my thesis? I wrote it!
Click to read
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2023 MFA, Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2019 BA, cum laude, Florida State University, Studio Art and Art History | Tallahassee, FL
2018 Florida State University London Study Centre | London, England
EXHIBITIONS
2025 Philadelphia Sketch Club, 161st Small Oils | Philadelphia, PA
2025 Patterns in the Wild, Decagon Gallery | Brooklyn, NY
2025 Philadelphia Sketch Club, Abstract Works | Philadelphia, PA
2023 122nd Annual Student Exhibition, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, PAFA | Philadelphia, PA
2023 Size Matters..In Art!, Ann Bryan Gallery | Philadelphia, PA
2022 BLUE, Gallery 8, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2022 Jardin Exhibition, Jardin Botanique | Marnay-sur-Seine, France
2022 Traces, Gallery 8, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2022 121st Annual Student Exhibition, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building | PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2022 FMC Metamorphosis Show, FMC Building | Philadelphia, PA
2019 Nature as a Muse, Arts Teaching Lab Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL
2019 Excellence in Visual Arts Exhibition, Florida State University Honors Building | Tallahassee, FL
2019 Remote Dialogue, juried and presented by The University of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA
2019 Gallery 621 | Tallahassee, FL
2017 Photofest 2017, Tallahassee International Airport Artport Gallery, Tallahassee’s Council of Culture & Artsa|Tallahassee, FL
2017 Grasslands Brewing Company group show | Tallahassee, FL
2017 Waters Fine, Florida State University Credit Union | Tallahassee, FL
RESIDENCIES
2023 | Casa Tagumerche | La Gomera, Canary Island, Spain
2022 | La Maison Verte | Marnay-sur-Seine, France
2022 | Old School Residency | Hrísey, Iceland