Rachel Shepherd: I See Music

Exhibition Abstract

Rachel Shepherd (B.F.A. '25) is an interdisciplinary artist whose passions lie in both music and fine arts. For years, she has been writing music and creating art, drawing inspiration from her experience with synesthesia — a phenomenon where senses cross over, allowing her to see colors when she hears sounds. While most sounds appear as varying shades of gray, music brings vibrant, dynamic hues to life. Last year, Shepherd began exploring how to blend music and art through her synesthesia. 

I See Music delves into the process of incorporating her unique sensory experience into her artwork. By experimenting with various media, she aims to visually represent what she sees when she hears music. Some pieces in the collection feature distinct figures and motifs, while others offer an abstract, more direct glimpse into her perception. Shepherd's journey began with painting and printmaking on handmade paper, but she has recently ventured into digital media, creating animated videos to capture the dynamic nature of her synesthetic vision. She continues to study the neuroscience and psychology behind synesthesia, integrating this understanding into her art. While I See Music includes elements of her sound collages, Shepherd intends to deepen her exploration of her mind and let these insights continue to inform her future work.

Exhibitor Biography

Rachel Shepherd is a fourth-year student at Cornell University studying Fine Arts. Working in both analog and digital media, her work often features strange and frightening scenes, as well as sound. Inspired by her synesthesia, Shepherd presently focuses on making sound collages and corresponding animations. She is also currently researching how the condition of synesthesia impacts the brain. Shepherd is ecstatic and incredibly grateful to have her work recognized and exhibited at Cornell.