Rachel Howard and Frank Auerbach: Noise

Bringing together prints by Frank Auerbach and Rachel Howard, this exhibition creates a dynamic dialogue between two generations of artists. Through themes of mortality, relationships and the human body, it explores striking parallels and contrasts between Auerbach’s celebrated etchings and Howard’s expressive woodcuts. Showcasing newly acquired works from the Gallery’s collection, this pairing highlights each artist’s innovative approach to creating works that push the boundaries of printmaking. Together, their prints reveal the enduring power of the medium to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Rachel Howard

Rachel Howard (b. 1969) is a Contemporary British artist, born in County Durham and best known for her distinctive abstract paintings. In the early 1990s she earned her Fine Art and Critical Theory degree from Goldsmith’s and assisted Damien Hirst as a studio assistant. Subsequently, she completed her MA in Embroidery at The Royal College of Art and created her Crash prints series. Featuring in this exhibition, these bold and confronting prints explore the complexities of the human condition, encompassing themes of violence, beauty, loss and life.

Frank Auerbach

Frank Auerbach (1931-2024) arrived in Britain in 1939 as a child refugee from Nazi Germany. He studied at St Martin’s School of Art (1948-1952) before attending the Royal College of Art (1952-1955), where he first developed his interest in drypoint etching. Following his studies, Auerbach pushed the medium further, using non-traditional tools, such as nails. Scratching directly into the metal plates, he captured the memory of his regular sitters. Shown in this exhibition, his prints of Ruth and expressive figure studies highlight his raw, energetic mark-making and deep connection to his subjects.