Rachael Clegg’s world is one of gritty visual style and wit. Her images illustrate moments from history, creating a surreal parallel universe which is both entertaining and enlightening. In this universe, Rachael has carved out a unique art form for herself, fusing fact and imagination to create bold, sometimes absurd images, which are always accompanied by text.

Rachael’s work has accrued a cult global following and has won her commissions from private individuals to major corporations. She has exhibited across the globe and in 2021 appeared in the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme’s (FIM) Women in Motorcycling book. Her choice of subject matter is wide ranging, and includes the Isle of Man TT, the Nürburgring, Germany and the history of rocket science. At the heart of it all Rachael’s work - whether about rockets or racing circuits - is a humorous interpretation of historical events with text and surreal photography.

To understand what makes Rachael tick - and by extension her work, it’s important to know her background: she was born into a motorcycle racing dynasty (specifically TT racers) and raised among the sound of two strokes and the smell of Castrol R. But unlike her brother, father and grandfather, Rachael did not become a motorcycle racer: she pursued a career in art and journalism. She went to art school and then went on to study art history, finishing with a first class degree and MA and worked as a features and music journalist for several years. Her work is a fusion of these disparate facets: motorsport, storytelling and art - all knitted together with grit and humour.

In addition to her photographic work Rachael also paints. Her paintings range from abstract experiments to her signature Sound Stories series, in which she takes the sounds of iconic racing machines and riders - such as Peter Hickman’s fastest TT lap, or a song or vocal recording, and transforms them into abstract oil paintings.

Rachael also works commercially and has created images for major global brads such as Ferodo, Champion spark plugs and SES Satellites Ltd.

Whether her images are hung on a gallery wall or part of a commercial campaign, they always invite you in to her world: one that is fun, thought-provoking and visually intriguing.

For commissions contact Rachael Clegg at rachael@rachaelclegg.com