Rakhee Jain Desai and Alexandra Robinson

Rakhee Jain Desai is an interdisciplinary artist whose work creates a dialogue about immigrant identity and belonging. Her current body of work utilizes the centuries-old, wax-resist textile technique, Batik. The combination of Batik, an Eastern craft, with other mediums is a signature process. Born in Canada, raised in Houston, Texas, and having lived in Asia for a decade, Rakhee’s global lens is evident through her choice of palette and use of motifs and symbols. Rakhee has exhibited across the USA, Singapore, and Portugal. She was selected as a featured artist for the Imago Mundi Benetton Foundation - representing Singapore’s contemporary art in the 21st Century & Beyond. She was the first cohort recipient of the Tempo2D program by the City of Austin Art in Public Places. The Batik mural named ‘A Place To Call Home’ is now on permanent view at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

rakheejaindesai.com


Alexandra Robinson grew up in the military and has lived all over the world. Because of the semi-transient nature of moving every two years she has a longing for place and identity and explores these themes in her work. Robinson was raised with her immediate family; an intersection of her Mexican and Jewish heritage which has cultivated a complexity in how she sees and experiences the world. She received her MFA from the University of Cincinnati and currently teaches at St. Edward's University in Austin, TX. Robinson lives with her husband and two daughters. She has exhibited throughout the country and internationally.

alexandrarobinsonart.com

—

Coffee Chats feature leaders in the creative community sharing their personal and professional experiences to inspire others pursuing careers in art. To view past conversations, visit bigmedium.org/coffeechats.⁠