Jan McNeill
Jan McNeill’s work explores how language develops and shapes our view of the world.
Her installation, sculptural and photographic work draws on pre-existing metaphors around language, presenting metaphor in a subtle, near-invisible form.
She creates a space where language can be explored in a physical form, giving a playful context and an alternative view of how language can exist around us. Materials such as silicone, acrylic, and glass give subtlety to the work and capture the fragility of language and communication.
The artist’s own connection with language has often been ambivalent and her work represents a struggle to understand complexities, confusion, and even intimidation around the power and authority of words.
Her work often involves patterns and codes whether it be how the work is created or how the work is installed.
She is also very interested in the use of art and creative techniques in a therapeutic setting and has was guest speaker for Family Focus, Ballyclare, speaking on the subject of “Healing lives and communities through artistic expression and creative experience”.
Biography
Jan McNeill is a conceptual artist based in Belfast. She graduated from the University of Ulster in 2011 with a BA Hons in Fine and Applied Art and He received the University of Ulster Deans list award and bursary (2009).
Her solo exhibition was an extension of her work around language ideology entitled “CLUSTERS” and was exhibited at the University of Atypical’s gallery space, Belfast (2012).
She exhibited at group exhibitions: including the RUA 130th Annual Exhibition, Belfast, Other Perspectives, Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown, Probability, Banbridge, Play & Skinned Knees, Catalyst Arts Centre, Belfast, Not as Yet, Catalyst Arts Centre, Anna Cheyne Award Exhibition, Lisburn, Momentary Landscapes, Belfast, It’s Yours, Take it, Belfast Barge.
She has received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (SIAP Programme) and Arts & Disability Awards Ireland. She was also gained “Other selected Installation / Sculpture in Celeste Prize.
jansart@hotmail.co.uk
