Rachel van Balen is a visual artist working across murals, painting and drawing. Her practice moves fluidly between the studio and public space, creating work that responds to context, scale and the stories embedded in a place. A strong attentiveness to visual language lies at the core of her work. Growing up with deaf parents, looking became a primary way of understanding the world. Subtle shifts in expression, atmosphere and spatial cues carried meaning early on. This heightened awareness continues to shape how Rachel observes, translates and responds to her surroundings. Her projects often begin with close attention to a location — its history, architecture and social context — allowing visual work to emerge that feels both grounded and open. Through colour, graphic clarity and painterly depth, she creates murals and artworks that are present without overpowering, playful yet considered. Rachel works on commission as well as autonomously, creating site-specific projects in public space alongside studio-based work.