Domestic Threats
The Domestic Threats series of pastel-on-sandpaper paintings uses Mexican folk art—masks, carved wooden animals, papier mâché figures, and toys—in a lively blend of reality and fantasy. On trips to central Mexico I spend much of my time in the local mask shops, markets, and bazaars searching for the figures that will later populate my paintings. I enjoy the fact that I take objects with a unique Mexican past—most have been used in various religious festivals—and give them a second life, so to speak, in New York in the present. When I return home, I read prodigiously and find out as much about them as I can. I use these objects not only as surrogates for human actors, but as potent symbols: an amalgam of child hood memories, half-forgotten dreams, and images encountered in literature, pre-columbian art, and cinema (especially German silent films and movies by Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles). This work has been evolving for more than a decade. The imagery is autobiographical and very personal, but has universal associations.
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domestic threats new
A Promise Meant to be Broken - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70' x 50' (178 x 127 cm) - 2007
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/apromisemeanttobebroken.jpg
Scene Twenty One: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 2006
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scenetwentyonelivingroom800px.jpg
Scene Twenty: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2006
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scenetwentylivingroom.jpg
Scene Nineteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 2006
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scenenineteenlivingroom.jpg
Sometimes He Still Tried To Restrain Her - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 50" x 38" (127 x 96.5 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2005
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/sometimeshestilltried.jpg
Scene Eighteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2004
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene18livingroom.jpg
Scene Seventeen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2004
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene17livingroom.jpg
Scene Sixteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2003
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene16livingroom.jpg
She Embraced It and Grew Stronger - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2003
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/sheembraceditandgrewstronger.jpg
Scene Fifteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2002
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene15livingroom.jpg
Scene Fourteen: Kitchen - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2002
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene14kitchen.jpg
Scene Thirteen: Bathroom - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2002
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene13bathroom800px.jpg
Truth Betrayed by Innocence - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2001
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/truthbetrayedbyinnocence.jpg
Scene Twelve: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2001
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene12livingroom.jpg
Answering the Call - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2000
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/answeringthecall.jpg
Scene Eleven: Bedroom - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 2000
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene11bedroom.jpg
Practical Advice on Waiting - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2000
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/practicaladviceonliving.jpg
Scene Ten: Bathroom - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1999
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene10bathroom.jpg
Scene Nine: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 1999
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene09livingroom.jpg
No Cure for Insomnia - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 1999
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/nocureforinsomnia.jpg
Scene Eight: Kitchen - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene08kitchen.jpg
Scene Seven: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene07livingroom.jpg
Scene Six: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene06livingroom.jpg
He Was So in Need of Botany - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hewassoinneedofbotany.jpg
Scene Five: Kitchen - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene05kitchen.jpg
Scene Four: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene04livingroom.jpg
Scene Three: Living Room - Stolen, reward for its return - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene03livingroom.jpg
He Urged Her to Abdicate - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/heurgedhertoabdicate.jpg
Scene Two: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene02livingroom1354909779.jpg
Scene One: Living Room - Stolen, reward for its return - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene01livingroom1354909718.jpg
The Leader Challenged - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/theleaderchallenged.jpg
Abandoned at Birth, They Grew Up Bent - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/abandonedatbirththeygrewup.jpg
Sometimes She Still Found Him Charming - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/sometimesshestillfoundhim.jpg
She Braced Herself for Their Show of Force - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1996
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/shebracedherselffortheir.jpg
He Didn"t Take Seriously the Threat from Below - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1996
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hedidnttakeseriously.jpg
His Mortal Enemy Was Poised, Ready to Strike - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1996
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hismortalenemywaspoised.jpg
He Just Stood There Grinning - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hejuststoodtheregrinning.jpg
His Sudden Return Was Not Entirely Welcome - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38"(147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hissuddenreturnwasnot.jpg
He Lost His Chance to Flee - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/helosthischancetoflee.jpg
The Older One Pulled His Punches - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/theolderonepulled.jpg
At First He Vehemently Denied the Accusation - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/atfirsthevehemently.jpg
In Reality the Frogs Were Men - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/inrealitythefrogswermen.jpg
Will Wonders Never Cease - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 c 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/willwondersnevercease.jpg
Big Deal - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/bigdeal.jpg
Amok - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 57.5" x 37.5" (146.05 x 95.25cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/amok.jpg
The Third Degree - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/thethirddegree.jpg
In for the Kill - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/inforthekill.jpg
Us and Them - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/usandthem.jpg
The Magical Other - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/themagicalother.jpg
Caught by the Spirit - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.4 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/caughtbythespirit.jpg
Keeper of the Secret - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/keeperofthesecret.jpg
Myth Meets Dream - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/mythmeetsdream.jpg
Dinner for Two - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/dinnerfortwo.jpg
Caught - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/caught.jpg
Night Watch - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1992
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/nightwatch.jpg
All of the pastel paintings use my West Village apartment or a 72-year-old Sears house in Virginia as a backdrop. These are places where I live so the realities of my everyday surroundings are an essential part of the work. Director-style, I select and arrange a group of folk art figures in a room in my apartment. I light the scene using two or more tungsten studio lights to create dramatic, mysterious and unexplainable shadows. The setup is typically left in place for several weeks. During that time, I work out placement, lighting, design, and, most importantly, a narrative about the interaction that is occurring between the “actors.” (The narrative is often hinted at in the painting’s title).
When everything is ready, I shoot two color negatives with a 4"×5" view camera. Using a 24” x 20” photograph for reference, I create a pastel painting of 58"×38" in size (normally a three to four month process). I also make smaller works (which also involve several months), but prefer the greater challenge of working in large format. Blending with my fingers, I painstakingly apply dozens of layers of soft pastel onto the acid-free sandpaper. My self-invented technique achieves rich textures and vibrant colors. I believe I am pushing pastel to its limits, using it in ways that no one else has done.