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

  1. Brooke, Anderson (April 24, 2008), "Celebrity Mugshot Art", CNN, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on July 12, 2011
  2. David, Ng (March 4, 2010), "Celebrity mugshots receive their artistic close-up at Hollywood's ArcLight", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
  3. 1 2 Michelle, Hummel (December 2010), "Young Spock Rescues Dogs", Young Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on January 15, 2010
  4. 1 2 Brad, Pomerance (December 10, 2009), "America's Jewish Mobsters", Jewish Television Network, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on January 3, 2010
  5. 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
  6. "Lindsay, Paris and Jane: mug shots as art". Los Angeles Times. 16 March 2008.
  7. "How to Look Good In Your Mug Shot". Gawker.
  8. 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).
  9. Brooke, Anderson (April 4–5, 2008), "Celebrity Mugshot Art", CNN Headline News, Los Angeles, CA, archived from the original on July 24, 2008
  10. "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
  11. Zuckerman, Mallory (February 3, 2009), "'Jewish Mobster' exhibit debuts at UF Hillel gallery", alligator The Independent Florida, Gainesville, FL
  12. Barnett, Lindsay (November 19, 2009), "L.A. Unleashed", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
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