The Story Keeper

Jill Carter, Multi-Disciplinary Artist

The Muses - by Jill Carter

This exhibition takes us on a journey through a collection of visual storytelling one-off artworks which explore the notion of identity in response to the self, people and place.  Jill’s diverse practice as a social engagement artist, tutor and maker, draws on her background in contemporary fine art, health and education.  Her work is often inspired by journeys, memories, shared experience and life events and can be described as quirky, dark, engaging, playful, imaginative and curious. 

Jill invites us to engage in a collection of stories, both real and imagined.  Less than perfect, intuitive inky drawings, collages, paintings, photographs, journals, mixed media assemblages, figurative totems, boxes and bundles of memorial pieces.  Passionate about the process of journaling, documenting and responding to life events, her artworks are inspired by transforming materials into telling stories, exploring the space between real and imagined, often influenced by the giftings of others and the spirit of creative exchange.

She lives at Great Somerford, and exhibits mainly in the South-West.  She studied Fine Art Drawing into Fine Art Practice, then Painting & Sculpture MA as a career change, previously working as a shiatsu practitioner and teacher.  Over twenty years she was commissioned as a freelance lead social engagement artist in regeneration schemes in the South West, where art was used as a tool to transform events and communicate community dreams, hopes and aspirations. 

Jill enjoys making in her garden studio, and also loves working for the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol’s Learning & Engagement team, delivering art on prescription projects, tutoring in the Drawing School, together with occasional fun family drop-in drawing sessions across the city, believing that art has the power to develop insight, well-being and unlock creativity.