‘Towers’

Pigment on Linen

I specialise in the production of bespoke screen printed fabrics and am developing a constructed approach to printed textiles for interior design.
I am interested in the minimalism and functionality of certain Scottish, English and Scandinavian designers. Maija & Kristina Isola designs for Marimekko are simple yet highly decorative. Simple images are used to make bold repeats, the use of bright colours adds to the effect. I am also interested in work of fine artists artists such as Jim Lambie and Richard Wright who both use repeat pattern and strong colour in their work.


Many of my prints are inspired by iconic buildings, landmarks and natural environments typical of Scotland's industrial heritage. Fabrics are chosen to reflect this heritage and utilise an aesthetic which acknowledges their functional significance - cotton drill, canvas and linen. I then use vibrant colour and sensual textures to transform these materials to create luxurious, sumptuous and sometimes even humorous materials for wall hangings, curtains, cushions and commissioned pieces. For example, my fabric such as ‘Towers’ actually come from drawings of "The Gallowgate Twins" - a 1970's east end residential tower block. The colours used and the layering techniques are inspired by the textures and colours of buildings such as these, as well as decaying billboards and other urban detritus.

My interest in these cumulatively built up, rich surfaces of the urban environment also led me to explore a range of constructed textiles expanding the idea of layering further. For example I threaded together discs of laser cut prints to produce worm-like 3 dimensional textiles which can be further built up into larger configurations. Here I was taking my lead from designers such as De Sede furniture (which is put together in layers) and Roche Bobois, who produce bespoke furniture, which due to its modular design, changes size and shape depending on the needs of the client.


I have also used the 3D constructed textiles as a basis for producing clean, simple 2D repeat patterns with bold colours. I have continued to evoke the 3 dimensionality of the constructed textiles in these 2D designs. However I have done so whilst using a restrained minimal colour scheme, emulating a sparse aesthetic exemplified in classic minimal wallpaper designs such as the "geometric collection" by Cole & Son.

Jill Kirkham.
Graduated 2012. Bachelor of Arts:Textile Design.

Herriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

Jill Kirkham CV