Jillian’s paintings and drawings have referenced the spiritual and reflected her interest in theology for several years.
Her works in general have not sourced inspiration from just one religion, but from many. However in this exhibition, she has concentrated on the intricate and beautiful patterns of Islamic art that have fascinated her for many years. Historically Islamic art and architecture has evolved from a faith that prohibits the depiction of holy figures, resulting in sophisticated and breathtaking geometric patterning. Earlier this year it was discovered, by Harvard and Princeton University researchers, that these ancient designs, some from over 500 years ago, exhibit advanced decagonal quasicrystal geometry, meaning they are predictable but do not regularly repeat themselves. Some Islamic medieval buildings are covered in sophisticated decagonal symmetric patterns that never repeat. This is a concept discovered by Western mathematicians and physicists only in the 1970s and 1980s.
Jillian's exhibition attempts to pay homage to the incredible art and architecture of the Islamic world, its artisans and its influence on European culture. Beautifully crafted blue, white and gold paintings form the main body of the exhibition. Several are the usual four sided variety of paintings, but others are influenced by the many sided tiles found on Islamic architecture.
Jillian graduated from Edith Cowan University in 2001, but has been exhibiting since 1989. Her work can be found in several public collections, including Murdoch University, Royal Perth Hospital, Edith Cowan University, the Cruthers Collection, New Norcia and King Edward Hospital.