Rachael Speirs’ use of textiles is intrinsic to her work. Pieces of scrap fabric are cut, painted, layered, and embroidered into narrative, collage works. As a child, Speirs was greatly inspired by her grandmother’s embroidery and the children’s picture books she grew up with; influences that continue to inform the universal human experiences her works convey. She explains:

“My artwork has a strong humanitarian and narrative element. This ties into the storytelling aspect of the work, inspired by vintage children’s book illustration and traditional textile handicraft. [My works] reference the haunting experience of sifting through our memories — poignant and evocative; difficult to ignore or forget.”

A self-taught artist, Rachael Speirs exhibited her work for the first time in 2010 and has since participated in multiple public presentations including showcases at The Artist Project, Toronto (2020); The Textile Show, Toronto (2019); Oakville in the Park (2019); and the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (2014) among others. Speirs is the recipient of multiple awards including the Best Mixed Media Award at Riverdale Art Walk, Toronto (2015), and several grants through the Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.