JILL & GILL BLEND art and design across illustration, print, apparel, packaging and home decor. Here they discuss print, proud moments and pushing themselves as artists.
What inspired you to start your business?
It can be a rare thing when two people meet in a creative sphere and their abilities complement each other without conflict. We both brought an odd sense of orderly chaos to the mix and started a creative partnership that evolved into a business and brand.
What do you do and how do you do it?
We take a bold and imaginative approach to our work, blending art and design across a range of mediums including illustration, print, apparel, packaging and home decor. Our style is defined by vibrant colours and striking prints. Over the past few years we have started to refer to our work as ‘surface design’ – it’s about transforming flat surfaces like fabric, paper or other materials into dynamic canvases for bold expression.
How has your practice evolved over time?
Diversifying our collaborations has allowed us to expand our creative reach from large-scale installations to packaging designs for JJ Corry’s limited 100 bottle whiskey drop. We always remain committed to fostering individuality and self-expression and to creating bold, colourful works that empower and inspire.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Lately, our inspiration has been less about what surrounds us and more to do with how we, as two creatives, are feeling our way, moving within the limits and pushing them. We have a new-found confidence to question things more. We are currently working on a collection of artworks for the Art Riddler’s upcoming visual art exhibition at One Charlemont Square. The work is influenced by how confidence and self-perception can be shaped, challenged or even transformed by the external ideals of society.
Do you take your work home?
A need to spend a lot of time in the studio together can sometimes mean taking work home – we still need to do all the admin, finances, cashflow and VAT returns. If we’re launching something new we’ll also need to edit photos, schedule content and update our website. As creatives, it’s not easy to simply turn off part of yourself when you’re so much a part of the business you’ve created.
What did you do before this?
Jill: I played in a band for 10-plus years with musician James Vincent McMorrow and toured the world with him and the guys. Between tours I always fell back into my art doing private commissions for people, so art always played a huge part in my life in some shape or form.
Gillian: Since studying 3D Design at university, I’ve always worked in creative yet commercial environments. My experience spanned roles in retail creative teams and graphic design – eventually leading me to start my own screen printing business called Oh My Days. Through this venture I collaborated with leading brands, events, and creatives producing everything from fine art prints and packaging to screen printed album covers, textiles and apparel.
What has been your proudest moment or favourite project so far?
This year, we partnered with Dublin City Council for St. Brigid’s Day. Tasked with portraying Brigit as a symbol of both ancient mythology and modern womanhood, we had the opportunity to illustrate her as part of our Boundless Radicals series. Seeing our work displayed on the scale of the GPO building and all along the Liffey quayside on flags filled us with pride and a sense of progress – our creations reaching beyond the studio and serving a meaningful purpose in the public realm.
Running our Jill & Gill pop-up shop on Grafton Street was another true pinch-me moment. The opportunity not only brought us great visibility but led to significant learning and growth. We still have so much to unpack from the experience and it will only continue to serve us as we grow.
What would be a dream collaboration for you?
A dream collaboration for us would be to create an artist installation for Dover Street Market or an experience collaboration for one of the world’s biggest music festivals. We would also love to collaborate with some of Ireland’s incredible ceramic or glass artists.
What’s next for Jill & Gill?
In November we will be Designers in Residence at Benchspace Cork which includes us hosting a panel discussion on ‘Desire within Design’ as well as a makers workshop as part of Irish Design Week. We’ll also be part of the upcoming Art Riddler exhibition at One Charlemont Square in Dublin.
Find out more at jillandgill.com and at @jillandgill on Instagram.
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