Rachel Owen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel Owen
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Owen in 2012
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| Born |
Rachel Mary Owen
30 November 1968 Cardiff, Wales
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| Died | 18 December 2016 (aged 48) |
| Spouse(s) | Thom Yorke |
| Children | 2 |
Rachel Mary Owen (born November 30, 1968 – died December 18, 2016) was a talented artist from Wales. She was a photographer, a printmaker (someone who makes art using printing techniques), and a teacher of old Italian literature. She was married to Thom Yorke, the lead singer of the band Radiohead. They announced their separation in 2015.
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Early Life and Education
Rachel Owen was born in Cardiff, Wales. She studied Italian and Fine Art (Painting) at the University of Exeter. She focused on printmaking during her studies.
In the 1990s, Owen lived in Florence, Italy. While there, she studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Florence. This is where she became very interested in the works of Dante Alighieri, a famous Italian poet. In 2001, she earned her PhD from the University of London. Her research looked at the pictures found in old books of Dante's Divine Comedy.
Teaching and Art Career
Rachel Owen taught Italian literature, especially medieval (old) Italian works. She often looked at how illustrations were used in Dante's Divine Comedy. She also taught art history and Dante studies to students visiting the University of Oxford.
Owen was also a skilled fine-art printmaker. She was a member of the Oxford Printmakers Co-operative. Her art often combined photography with printmaking. She explored ideas of change and transformation using photographic screenprints. One of her artworks was even used on the cover of the 1993 Radiohead song "Pop Is Dead".
Personal Life
Rachel Owen was in a relationship with Radiohead singer Thom Yorke for 23 years. They first met when they were students at the University of Exeter. They had two children together: a son named Noah, born in 2001, and a daughter named Agnes, born in 2004. Owen's ideas and life experiences influenced some of Radiohead's songs, like "I Might Be Wrong" and "Optimistic".
In May 2003, Owen and Yorke were secretly married in Oxfordshire. In August 2015, they announced that they had separated. They said it was a friendly separation after "23 highly creative and happy years." Some people believe their separation influenced the lyrics on Radiohead's 2016 album, A Moon Shaped Pool.
Death and Legacy
Rachel Owen passed away from cancer on December 18, 2016. She was 48 years old. Even in her final months, she continued to teach Italian. In her memory, Radiohead dedicated the 2017 OKNOTOK reissue of their 1997 album OK Computer to her.
Works
Books
- Rachel Owen: Illustrations for Dante's 'Inferno'. Oxford: Bodleian Library, 2021. Edited by David Bowe. ISBN: 978-1851245703.
Exhibitions
- 2015: Ballon Rouge Art, Thame, Oxfordshire, England, 7–15 November 2015
