Talented Jill lands another prestigious exhibition opportunity

Saddleworth artist Jill Woods is on a roll.

Jill has just landed the chance to exhibit at Comme Ca Art Gallery in Ancoats, having only recently exhibited at the OXO Gallery and Bargehouse on London’s South Bank.

Said Jill: "It was a fantastic exhibition of some the country’s brightest artists.

"I could not believe I was there and here we are again, but this time much closer to home in Manchester.

"I’m still pinching myself.

"I entered the Comme Ca Art X AWOL Studios Open Call Exhibition 2023 and I was on my way to London to de-instal my work from the OXO Gallery when I received the email telling me I’d been selected for this exhibition of North West artists.

"The calibre of artists is amazing, so it’s a real privilege to have been selected."

Added Jill: "What I do is unique.

"My installation ‘Bathed in the Same Light’ is made of 11 discs of heat-sculpted Perspex which plays with light to produce ethereal shadows and reflections.

"The piece is interactive - you need a phone torch to join in."

Locally-based Jill first started creating art when she was four.

Interestingly, although she loved art at school, she did a degree in Anatomical Science.

It wasn’t until her mid 50s that Jill decided it was time to pursue her dream of being an artist.

Whilst still teaching dyslexic children part-time, she enrolled on the Foundation course at Oldham College in 2018 and then did a Masters degree at Huddersfield University at age 56.

Jill said: "These courses completely changed my life.

"They opened my eyes and gave me the chance to explore different techniques and materials.

"I am thrilled to be exhibiting in Manchester for the first time, but in a perfect world I’d earn my living producing art and be exhibiting internationally.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to show work alongside 20 other talented artists from the North West.

"Who knows where I’ll be exhibiting next…. London – Manchester – New York?"

Jill’s work, ‘Bathed in the Same Light’, is part of the Comme Ca X AWOL Studios Open Call Exhibition 2023 at Comme Ca Art Gallery, 5th Floor Hope Mill, 113 Pollard St, Ancoats, M4 7JA.

Opening hours are Saturdays 11-2pm until June 24 or Wednesday/Thursday 11-4pm by appointment.

Ring Claire at the gallery on 0161 273 5495.

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