John Rainey works primarily in sculpture, combining traditional casting processes in materials like porcelain with digital fabrication technologies such as 3D printing.
ARTIST BIO
John Rainey is a sculptor based in Belfast. He completed an MA in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art (London, 2012) and has been awarded residencies at Konstfack University for Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm (2013) and the British School at Rome (2018). Solo exhibitions include STATE SHIFT, BERG Gallery, Stockholm (2022); SLIP TANK, Naughton Gallery, Belfast (2021); Playground, BERG Gallery, Stockholm (2019) and On Visibility, Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast (2016). His work is held in public collections including the UK Government Art Collection and the Arts Council NI Collection.
Proposals for Queer Bodies in Public Space (Flag), 2025, John Rainey, 100 x 70 cm, Recycled RPET Material 110gsm.
Above left: Drag Eagle, John Rainey, 2024, Parian Porcelain, solo exhibition at The Golden Thread Gallery. Image: Philip Sayer
Installation image of STATE SHIFT, John Rainey, 2022, solo exhibition at Berg Gallery, Stockholm. Image: Julija Ruart.
His recent work focuses on sculptural copies, glitches and alternatives, using re-imaginings of sculptural histories to consider current ideas and ideals.
Installation image of SLIP TANK, 2021, John Rainey, solo exhibition at the Naughton Gallery, Queens University Belfast
Installation image of SLIP TANK, 2021, John Rainey, solo exhibition at the Naughton Gallery, Queens University Belfast
His sculptures emerge from periods working back and forth between these digital and physical worlds, often featuring material illusions and disprution of familiar forms.
Erroneous Restoration Study #1, 2022. John Rainey, 24 x 9.5 x 6.8 cm, Jesmonite and 3D Print
Oculus Venus, John Rainey, 2023, Venato Orto di Donna, Grigio Vagli and Nero Marquina, Image: Silvia Martinelli
State Shift, John Rainey, 2024, Parian porcelain, solo exhibition at The Golden Thread Gallery. Image: Philip Sayer
TITLE
Proposals for Queer Bodies in Public Space (Flag)
ARTIST
John Rainey
ABOUT THE WORK
‘Proposal for Queer Bodies in Public Space’ is a flag printed with drawings of reimagined monuments. Many of the monuments we share the city with stand to contested, yet established histories. In re-imagining the format and materials of these types of sculptures, the drawings represent monuments to the untold, the shrouded, the joyful, and the defiant histories of queer experience that are often lost to a culture of enforced secrecy.
DATE
2025
DIMENSIONS
100 × 70 cm
MEDIUM
Recycled RPET Material 110gsm
ORIGINAL WORK / EDITION
Edition of 5
ABOUT THE ARTIST
John Rainey works primarily in sculpture, combining traditional casting processes in materials like porcelain with digital fabrication technologies such as 3D printing. His sculptures emerge from periods working back and forth between these digital and physical worlds, often featuring material illusions and a disruption of familiar forms.
DELIVERY AND POSTAGE
Shipping cost will be quoted and confirmed via email. When your order has been placed we will be in touch with you to discuss the best options for shipping your purchase.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Creases in the fabric can be removed by the following methods.:
Steaming: Use a handheld steamer to gently steam the creases out. Hold the steamer a few inches away from the fabric to avoid any damage. Hanging the flag in a bathroom for a period of time can also have the same effect.
Ironing: If you don't have a steamer, you can use an iron on a low heat setting. Place a thin cloth or towel over the flag to protect it, and gently iron out the creases.
NOT SUITABLE FOR WASHING MACHINE