Rachel van der Nacht is an award-winning French Creative Director, Painter, and Visual Artist based in NYC, renowned for her Night Emperors series — giant hand-made illustrations celebrating New York’s nightlife community. Its viral recognition led to a collab with JR, permanent installations (at iconic venues and, Paul Sevigny's private collection), and a TV feature. Her clients include Adidas, Refinery29, IG, Puma, Uber, HBO, Equinox, and Nike.
She studied literature and philosophy in France and holds an MFA in “Design as an Entrepreneur” from SVA. Influenced by her North African roots, her personal work delves into harmonious discord, reconciling opposing themes such as happiness vs. sadness or punk vs. traditional.
Her creations offer a unique perspective on life and ask the viewer to see everything as connected. Art that encapsulates both light and dark, and twists them into a singular new sentiment — all-together. Think a cactus offering free hugs or two boxers hugging instead of fighting.
"I try to be real. It is such a subjective thing, but I try to convey an emotion. I am a fan of light and dark at the same time. The magic to me is when there are lots of things going on at the same time."
Ever seeking new collaborations, she aims to spark discussions about causes close to her heart.
SELECTED CLIENTS
Adidas, Refinery29, Uber, HBO, Nike, Velveeta, Instagram, Meta, Equinox, Konbini, Puma, Livy, Burt’s Bees, The Roxy Hotel, Creatively, Soho Grand, Johnson & Johnson, Ponyboy, Livre de Poche.
Expertise
Creative Direction, Brand Strategy, Naming, Visual Arts, Illustration, Live Arts, Animation, Motion Design, Social Media, Digital, Web Design, Photography, Live painting.
exhibitions
February 2024
GENERATIONS
Anderson Contemporary Gallery
180 Maiden Lane, New York
February 2024
EMPOWERED FORMS
547 W 27 St, New York
December 2023
100 SUTTON Art Show & Holiday Party
100 Sutton St, Brooklyn
Avril 2023
CREATORISM
With Blondehouse + Creative Protocol
52 Walker St, New York
March 2023
LA FEMME
Gallery 23 NY
34 Little W 12th St, New York
March 3rd, 2023
SUSHI BELLY TOWER
3 Pell St, New York
December 9th, 2022
HUMAN-ASSISTED ART - EVOLUTION
550 West 29th St, New York
June 24th, 2022
NED NOMAD opening - UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME
1170 Broadway, New York
April 18th, 2022
THIS IS NY
Gallery 23 NY
34 Little W 12th St, New York
April 7th, 2022
SURFIN’ JESUS NFT LAUNCH
In partnership with Caché Life
Sagamore Hotel
1671 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
March 31st, 2022
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
with Creatively and Apostrophe Gallery
Zero Bond, New York
March 2022
NEW YORK WOMEN at The Locker Room
138 Mulberry St, New York
January 2022
THE NIGHT EMPERORS at Ponyboy
632 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn
October 2021
THIS IS NY by Art Apple
250 Hudson St, New York
September 2021
WE ALL LOVE LOVE
Solo Exhibition + After-Party with Eli Escobar
100 Sutton St, Brooklyn
May 2021
IN THE CLOUDS by La Casa Arthouse
Brooklyn’s first NFT Exhibition
100 Sutton St, Brooklyn
January 2021
NIGHT EMPERORS Action in partnership with INSIDE OUT
Global Art project created by JR
Lower East Side, New York
2020
ART FOR EQUALITY, LIFE LIBERTY
& THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
The Untitled Space
45 Lispenard St, New York
SHAPES, A TRIBUTE TO LADISLAV SUTNAR
The Ladislav Sutnar Gallery, Pilsen, Czechoslovakia
2019
APEROOF BASTILLE DAY PARTY
Socceroof, Brooklyn
2018
SVA MAKERS MARKET, RENEGADE CRAFT.
Metropolitan Pavilion, The Suite, New York
29ROOMS, created by Refinery29.
106 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
AWARDS
2022
MOST OUTSTANDING ARTIST PRIZE
OF THE ART BASIL 2021 AWARD CEREMONY by the Locker Room
Miami, United States
2020
THE NEW RENAISSANCE, created by BLK SHP.
New York, United States
2016
ROTARY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
Paris, France
ACES CONTEST, created by the hip-hop singer Kery James.
Paris, France
THEY SAID IT
“Rachel’s work truly resonates with me and reminds me of my own in many ways. It is truly original in that it often expresses some sort of tragic situation in a funny and offbeat way. It is simultaneously universal and personal, contemporary and timeless.”
— Stefan Sagmeister
“Rachel’s work is lively, engaging, and beautifully crafted.”
— Paula Scher
“Rachel designs with attitude, wit, and style... A talent for now and the ages.”
— Steven Heller