Rachel Schmeidler is an American multi-media artist based in Los Angeles known for transforming celebrity mugshots into art. [1] She explores themes of celebrity culture and communal schadenfreude. [2] Her work includes techniques ranging from painting and traditional silkscreening to experimental anaglyphic stereoscopic photography. [3]
Early life and education
Rachel Schmeidler was born in Israel and moved to Germany when she was two years old. [4] Her father, a Holocaust survivor, moved the family to the Philadelphia, PA when she was 12. [5] Schmeidler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University. [4]
Artwork
Schmeidler has produced a series of artwork based on the mug shots of celebrities titled Hollywood Most Wanted. [6] [7] [8] She used traditional silk screening printmaking techniques and new imaging technology in the production of the images. [9] She also utilizes 3D stereo photography in her multi-media work. [3] Her work has received attention from both the traditional and celebrity media. [10] Subsequent series using mug shots expanded her subjects to include Jewish, Irish and Italian mobsters – in attempt to explore American history, immigration, and the Americana. [11]
Charity work
Schmeidler is founder of Hollywood Least Wanted, a charitable organization dedicated to assisting the needy in Los Angeles, in particular homeless animals facing euthanasia at Los Angeles’ animal shelters. [12]
References
- ^ Brooke, Anderson (April 24, 2008), "Celebrity Mugshot Art", CNN, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on July 12, 2011
- ^ David, Ng (March 4, 2010), "Celebrity mugshots receive their artistic close-up at Hollywood's ArcLight", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
- ^ a b Michelle, Hummel (December 2010), "Young Spock Rescues Dogs", Young Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on January 15, 2010
- ^ a b Brad, Pomerance (December 10, 2009), "America's Jewish Mobsters", Jewish Television Network, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on January 3, 2010
- ^ Yorke, Celine (2008), "Hollywood's most wanted art: Q & A with celebrity mug shot artist Rachel Schmeidler" (PDF), Lucid Magazine, Los Angeles, CA, pp. 14–15, archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-13, retrieved 2011-01-07
- ^ "Lindsay, Paris and Jane: mug shots as art". Los Angeles Times. 16 March 2008.
- ^ "How to Look Good In Your Mug Shot". Gawker.
- ^ Alonso, Guillermo (18 January 2020). "De la fama mundial a la desgracia personal: qué pasa cuando se hace pública tu foto policial". El País (in Spanish).
- ^ Brooke, Anderson (April 4–5, 2008), "Celebrity Mugshot Art", CNN Headline News, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on July 24, 2008
- ^ "Milo Ventimiglia, Kristen Bell, Jack Coleman, Zachary Quinto and Rachel Schmeidler", INSTYLE, Los Angeles, CA, October 8, 2007, archived from the original on 2007-10-11
- ^ Zuckerman, Mallory (February 3, 2009), "'Jewish Mobster' exhibit debuts at UF Hillel gallery", alligator The Independent Florida, Gainesville, FL
- ^ Barnett, Lindsay (November 19, 2009), "L.A. Unleashed", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA