Richelle Rich / Ice Cream Stories
Why subscribe? What is this? Why are we here?
For the last few years I have been swapping ice cream for stories. They are mostly short, often bittersweet, sometimes handwritten recollections collected from the public in exchange for ice cream at my art exhibitions and events throughout Europe (where I’m from) and the US (where I now live between LA and Joshua Tree)
These ice cream inspired stories have grown into their own project that I believe deserves it’s own publishing space. Still very much a part of my creative practice they also sit apart from it as testimonies to what it is to be human, to love and live and take joy in recollecting the simplest things. A swiftly evolving and expanding archive exploring the fallibility of memory and our relationship to what we perceive to be true.
I am always deeply moved that participants show up to share, to be seen, to be heard and to be remembered. So I created this substack with the aim of building community and connection through the simple act of sharing a story.
If you would like to take part and share your story too please subscribe (its free!) and you can become part of this ongoing story project.
Learn more about me and what I do…
I am Richelle Rich, a British/Swiss artist based (since 2013) in Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. I have an MA in fine art from the Royal College of Art, and a BA from Central St Martins School of Art, both in London. My work has been widely exhibited internationally, most recently in The Royal Academy Summer Show London this summer and New York earlier this year. My work has been featured in Art Forum, Artnet, Art Review, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times (London), The Independent, Contemporary Magazine, Time Out (London), Harpers, and Queen among other press.
I am interested in systems of power and the politics of nostalgia. I am fascinated by lost or forgotten stories, and the ways in which objects are magically contaminated by our history, emotions and memories. I am currently obsessed with Mr Whippy, British soft serve ice cream!
Sign up for my monthly (ish) newsletter The Art House Files where I share deeper insights into my art practice as well as invitations to private views and exhibitions, plus news from our creative community in LA, Joshua Tree, London and beyond.
I’m on the grid at Instagram follow along for more of my day to day art studio adventures.
My website richellerich.com has all the usual artist good stuff, selected works, exhibition viewing rooms and details on how to arrange a studio visit or buy work.
If you love The Ice Cream Stories Stories consider buying a poster from my latest series of works Wish You Were Here shot on the Isle of Wight. For sale on my website, or email me for details on available works.
I believe our smallest stories matter
Be part of a community of people who think our smallest stories matter. Participate in the comments section, share your stories and subscribe for free, or if you would like to support my work become a paid subscriber for the cost of an ice cream.
Every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app. If you’d prefer less art in your inbox you can adjust your settings in preferences and only read these posts in the substack app.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
