STATEMENT
I like to think of people as vessels of connection. Paintings focus on genuine, supportive relationships and the goodwill that holds people together. I combine real experienced moments and sensations with the imaginary, reframing life's journey to be hopeful and inclusive. Figures are abstracted to varying degrees, becoming a metaphor for the wider human condition. Boundaries are reduced, and permeable figures merge with each other and, at times, with their distinct environment. In my purely abstract work, I explore the concept of connecting, or I use a bird's eye view to explore communal meeting places, where human interaction is implied rather than represented.
I have a consistently experimental and intuitive approach, combining significant elements with a collage aesthetic. I paint layers of mixed water-media and oil with connection processes like merge, share, paste and equalize. Symbolic relating colours parallel my theme. Horizontal marks suggest flux, growth, and expansion. I prefer an ambiguous narrative that invites viewer completion.
BIO
Jill's unique lens reflects both moving extensively - displacing her from her family and country of origin, and previous crisis intervention work that sheds light on profound relationships. Painting empowers her to symbolically bridge vast distances and time to feel connected to her family and roots. Painting also helps her seek meaning and share wonder by connecting with herself, others, and the environment. Born and raised in New Zealand, Jill graduated with Honours in painting from Auckland University. She is a Toronto painter and has enjoyed teaching roles and residencies in New Zealand and Canada. A highlight of her teaching career was establishing and directing an independent art school for ten years. In addition to exhibiting and painting commissions, she is actively engaged in her art community, jurying, curating and installing Gallery exhibitions. Jill has paintings in international private, corporate and public collections, including hospitals, care facilities and community spaces.
EXPERIENCE
SELECTED JURIED SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBITIONS
- Aug 2023 Riverdale Hub Gallery Group Show 1326 Gerrard St E Toronto ON Canada
- Jul 2023 "TOAF 62 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair" online and in person Nathan Phillips Square Toronto ON Canada
- Apr 2023 "The Artist Project" Representing The Artist's Network Collaborative, Better Living Center Toronto ON Canada
- Mar 2023 "2023 Online Federation Showcase" Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver BC Canada
- Mar 2023 "Pi Art Squared" Art Alchemy Collective Toronto ON Canada
- Mar 2023 "Valued" Lesliegrove Gallery Toronto On Canada
- Mar 2023 "Perfect 10" Collective 131 Gallery Yorkville Holt Renfrew Centre Toronto ON Canada
- Feb 2023 "Face to Face" Lesliegrove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Dec 2022 "Big Holiday Smalls" Lesliegrove Gallery Toronto On Canada
- Nov 2022 "Life Doesn't stand Still" Lesliegrove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- July 2022 "TOAF 61 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair" online and in person Nathan Phillips Square Toronto ON Canada
- June 2022 "Riverdale Art Walk" Riverdale Park 872 Queen St East Toronto ON Canada
- May 2022 "Bayview Art Tour" Art Alchemy Studio Toronto ON Canada
- Apr 2022 "Our World The Worry and The Wonder" Lesliegrove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Apr 2022 "RAW Toronto" Fountainblu Exhibition Center Toronto ON Canada
- Mar 2022 "Pi Art Squared" Art Alchemy Collective Toronto ON Canada
- Feb 2022 "Plus One" Lesliegrove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Dec 2021 "Open Studio" Art Alchemy Studio Toronto ON Canada
- Nov 2021 "Inspired by the Arts" Leslie Grove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Sep 2021 "Artwalk in the Square" Outdoor Show Don Mills Rd Toronto ON Canada
- Aug 2021 "Riverdale Art Walk" Riverdale Park 872 Queen St East Toronto ON Canada
- Jun 2021 "Opening Our Doors" Leslie Grove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Jun 2021 "Riverdale Art Walk" Riverdale Park 872 Queen St East Toronto ON Canada
- Feb 2021 "Big Bold Risk "Leslie Grove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Feb 2021 "V is for Volunteer" Leslie Grove Gallery Toronto ON Canada
- Feb 2020 Solo Show Richmond Adelaide Centre 120 Adelaide St West Toronto ON Canada
- Jan 2019 Solo Show "Colour Wake Up" Orion Health Suite 1010 120 Adelaide St West Toronto ON Canada
- July 2012 Solo Show "Artist Ranch Project" Calgary Stampede Western Showcase AB Canada
- June 2012 Solo Show "All I Count is Here and Now" Framed on Fifth Gallery AB Canada
- Dec 2011- Mar 2012 Annual "Branching Out" Willow Studio Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Dec 2011 Solo Show "Coloured Connections" Space 837 Gallery AB Canada
- Oct 2011 "Grand Reopening" Willow Studio Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Oct 2011 Solo Show "Bird Whisperer" Paradigm Health AB Canada
- Jul-Sep 2011 "Summer in the Park "Annies Calgary AB Canada
- Apr 2011 "Red Carpet Friday" Willow Studio Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Apr 2011 "An Evening at the Ranch" The Ranch Calgary AB Canada
- Feb 2011 "Chromacode - Three artists, 30 works" Bissett Gallery Mount Royal University Calgary AB Canada
- Feb 2011 "Branching Out" Willow Studio Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Nov 2010 "Duo" The Ranch Calgary AB Canada
- Sep 2008-Sep 2011 "Annual Eastside Studio Crawl" Calgary AB Canada
- Sep 2007 "Under One Roof Instructor's Show" Calgary AB Canada
- Jul 2007 "Summer Solstice Exhibition" Calgary AB Canada
- Nov 2006 "Studio and Bohemian Extravaganza" Triangle Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Sep 2006 "Under One Roof Instructor's Show" Calgary AB Canada
- Nov 2005 "Studio and Bohemian Extravaganza" Triangle Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Oct 2005 "Art.clek.Tik Instructor's Show" Calgary AB Canada
- Apr 2005 "Panel for Saskatchewan Centennial Royal Mural Mosaic Royal Alberta Museum Edmonton AB Canada
- Nov 2004 "Triangle Art Show" Triangle Gallery Calgary AB Canada
- Sep 2004 "Promenade Instructor Show" North Mount Pleasant Arts Center Calgary AB Canada
- Nov 2003 "Senior Painting Exhibition" The Art Station Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- Nov 2003 "Graduate Show" Elam School of Fine Arts University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
- Oct 2003 "Painting Show" Aotea Center Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- May 2003 Solo Show "Liminal" Auckland University Medical School, Auckland, New Zealand
- Feb 2003 "Tutors Exhibition" Mairangi Art Center Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- Nov 2002 "Annual Art Exhibition" Westlake Girls Auckland New Zealand
- Sep 2002 "Annual North Shore Art Awards" Mairangi Art Center Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- Sep 2002 "Annual Art Show" Baradene Auckland New Zealand
- Aug 2002 "The Whale" Union Warehouse Auckland New Zealand
- July 2002 Solo Show "Holding Together" Auckland University Medical School, Auckland, New Zealand
- Jul 2002 "Art Fusions" Babich WInes Baradene Auckland New Zealand
- Jun 2002 "Artworks" Mairangi Art Center Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- Feb 2002 "Tutors Exhibition" Mairangi Art Center Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- Sep 2001 "Small Works" Mairangi Art Center Gallery Auckland New Zealand
- Jun 2001 "Printmaker's Guild Contemporary Art Show" Auckland New Zealand
- Feb 2001 "North Shore Printmakers Collaborative Show" Auckland New Zealand
- Jan 2001 "Summer Arts" Whakatane Community Arts Council Whakatane, New Zealand
- Aug 2001 Solo Show "Art Goes Mainstreet" University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
- Bow Valley Artist Garden Permanent Exhibition, Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Trek Financial and Valuation Advisors, Calgary, Canada
- Mercy Parklands Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Wellington Cathedral, Wellington, New Zealand
- South Auckland Health, Auckland, New Zealand
- Waikari Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 2022 Dec, Juried into Ontario Society of Artists
- 2022 Nov, Juried into Federation of Canadian Artists - Toronto Chapter, Active Membership
- 2022 Oct, Juried into Federation Of Canadian Artists - National Active Membership
- 2022 Aug, Juried Artscape Summer Residency - "Luminous Bodies" Toronto, ON Canada
- 2022 June, Juried Haliburton Advanced Painting Practice, Haliburton ON Canada
- 2020-2022, Studio Artist and Commission Paintings, Toronto ON Canada
- 2014-2019, Commissioned Paintings and Restoration, Docent at SMoCA, Canal Convergence Public Art Volunteer, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- 2011 Aug, Juried Artist Ranche Project Residency - Bar U Ranche, Longview, AB, Canada
- 2005-2011, Artist in Residence in multiple schools, Calgary, AB, Canada
- 2005-2014, Art Director and Visual Arts Instructor, regular teaching and workshops, Tuatara Studios, Calgary, AB Canada
- 2004-2009, Visual Arts Instructor, regular teaching and workshops, City of Calgary, AB, Canada
- 2003-2004, Volunteer TRUCK and Triangle Galleries, Calgary, AB, Canada
- 2000-2003, Fine Arts Tutor, regular teaching and workshops, Mairangi Art Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2000-2004, BFA Painting (Honours) Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
