ROCWORX*
ROCWORX | Mixed Media | Devon
Rachel O’Connell, is a marbling artist and leatherworker and the designer-maker behind her sustainable brand ROCWORX®. Marbling is an endangered heritage craft. Marbling is a surface pattern created when inks and paints are placed on the water surface, a pattern is made using tools and combs and then transferred to paper or textiles.
With over 30 years of marbling and 15 years of leatherwork, Rachel combines traditional tools and these heritage-craft skills, with a contemporary design aesthetic, to create home décor and wearable art. Her range includes cushions, lampshades, silk scarves, marbled leather carry goods, journals and cases. Rachel also has a circular design range, repurposing leather from Royal Opera House ballet slippers to create marbled leather jewellery and accessories.
Rachel has exhibited in Manchester Art Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Craftfestival and MAKE Southwest. She has work in small independent shops and galleries in Devon and in The British Museum. Upcoming exhibitions include Brantwood Museum and The British Museum.
Rachel also tutors marbling and leatherwork to adults and children. She tutors in schools, community groups, galleries and museums. She also works with children in SEND schools and with trauma survivors, tutoring marbling which is known for being a mindful craft.