Bobbi Rae

posted by Hannah Pezzack February 11, 2019

Located in Leeds, Bobbi Rae is a multi-disciplinary illustrator and designer. Inspired by a life-long love of cartoons and Disney movies, Bobbi creates enigmatic, naked dancers floating on fart-clouds. Rough sketches form the beginnings of each creation which are tidied up with pen and ink, and later colourised digitally. Sleek, bouncing bodies burst with vibrant energy, contorting into yoga positions or posing with plants: “The common thread that runs through my work is a sense of joy and empowerment. I make things to put a smile on people’s faces – through fresh, bright colour palettes and playful characters.”

Whilst studying Art and Design full-time at York College, Bobbi toyed with a number of pursuits, including photography, animation, illustration and sculpture, before finding her home in the print studio. She went on to complete a BA in Textile Design at the University of Leeds and after graduating worked for a small online fashion brand, a theatre production company and then an email marketing agency. Since receiving a First Class Honours in her Creative Practice MA, she has been involved in a diverse range of projects from mural-making to zine publications. In 2017, a collaboration with Boss Babs produced The Galphabet. The work features twenty-six inspiring occupations, such as “Architect”, “Director”, “Illustrator” and “Lawyer”, from an all-female kiddy cast. “It’s all about teaching children that their gender should not define their ambitions – something I can fully get behind.”