Jill Mirza

Jill Mirza was born in 1945. Her son Joe was born in 1981 and in 1983 she left London to live in Swanage. Together with her partner Nick Harris she ran The Alpha Gallery in Swanage, from 1987 until the end of 2004.

Jill's paintings are figurative works which often explore the patterns and rhythms to be found in neglected corners and cluttered surfaces. The inspiration for her urban landscapes comes mostly from Mediterranean locations where she seeks out a slightly shabby and forgotten world. The presence of human beings is often only hinted at by the objects they leave lying around. Jill's celebration of humble objects is equally in evidence in the still life paintings which are colourful and slightly quirky. The ways in which nature interacts with us is clearly evident in Jill's work. Many of her paintings are a record of buildings and deserted streets in the heat of the day. Some are neglected, others are abandoned and left for nature to reclaim, but with many buildings sparkling white paint is applied every Spring to crumbling walls, tiles on roofs are repaired and geraniums in tin cans are watered. With her still lifes Jill creates her own juxtaposed contexts for collections of everyday objects. In both landscapes and...

Jill studied Painting at Harrow School of Art, Camberwell, The Royal Academy Schools and Goldsmiths College. As well as showing her work in the Alpha Gallery, Jill has exhibited in various galleries in London and at the Royal Watercolour Society Open at Bankside Gallery. She has written articles for several art magazines and has co-written a book Mix Your Own Acrylics. ,