Bio

Rachel Elise Thomas (b. 1988) was born and is based in Detroit, Michigan. Early in her adolescence and career, Thomas was heavily influenced by the various photo albums in her family’s home—discovering a spiritual connection to deceased relatives, their origins in the South, migration to Detroit, and passed-down heirlooms connected to her lineage. Over time, her artistic practice evolved to reflect her fascination with photographs and artifacts from her personal and familial archives—this became the heart and foundation of her work. These personal themes offer a glimpse into her vulnerability. Thomas’s perspectives serve as a lasting gift to her audience; she aims to encourage viewers to think deeply and critically about the messages being presented. Her work offers an opportunity not only to explore her own past, but also to use that curiosity as a vehicle to confront it.

In 2010, Thomas earned an Associate of Applied Science in Photographic Technology from Oakland Community College with Cum Laude Honors. In 2019, she received her BFA in Photography from the College for Creative Studies with Honors, along with the Imre J. Molnar Artistic Achievement Award. In 2022, Thomas was selected for the Gilbert Fellowship––a full-tuition scholarship supporting her graduate studies. She earned her MFA in Photography from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2024. The same year, Thomas was a recipient of the Aperture & Google Pixel Creator Labs Photo Fund. She secured her first international residency, scheduled for 2026 at the Château Orquevaux Artist Residency in France.