Leaving I
2007
Photo-Intaglio                                      

Jill McKeown              
Residence: Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Birthplace: Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Attention and the focus of awareness follow circuitous paths, never traveling in logical and straight lines but seemingly leaping from one disparate area to the next in an agitation of mind.

Jill Mckeown’s work explores times when lost in thought, daydreaming and remembering. The works on paper, artist's books, & assemblage, use photographic source material, which through the process of photo-intaglio printmaking and the use of drawing & mixed media, form visceral layers of details and associations. The source images, often taken on epic walks explore response to specific place by examing simultaneous experiences, associations, and memory.

Recent work, including the '[re]collection' series and 'Jeu de memoire' has consolidated her previous explorations into the study of collections and the idea of memory as a collection.

'Shifts', shown at the Lessedra Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria in 2008, involves works on paper combining photo-intaglio prints with encaustic wax. The imagery interprets the title as shifts in focus, time, and memory. Old, found papers are preserved in layers of wax as memory with related, or sometimes, un-related associations.

Jill McKeown studied at the University of Ulster, Belfast, receiving a BA[Hons] Combined Studies Art & Design in 1995 and an MA Fine & Applied Art in 1997. Since leaving college, she has undertaken artists residencies in: Wisconsin, Ohio, Maine, Seattle, New York, Connecticut, & Washinton, D.C., in the United States; Venice, Italy; & Annaghmakerrig, Donegal & Cushendall, in Ireland. She has exhibited in solo and group shows in Ireland, United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Egypt, China, & Japan. She currently works as artist in residence for Artscare and the Southern Hospital Trust in Belfast, Northern Ireland, while lecturing & teaching part-time.

Director, Paragon Studios, Belfast [2000–Present]

Visiting Lecturer, Printmaking, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland [2006–07]

Education
MFA University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland [1997]
Post-Graduate Diploma, Fine & Applied Art [Commendation], University of Ulster, Belfast
BA with honors, Art and Design, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland [1995]
BA Interior Design, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom [1990]
Foundation Certification in Art & Design, Staffordshire University, Stoke-On-Trent, United Kingdom

2008
'Shifts', Two person exhibition, Lessedra Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
'Intaglio', Group Show, St. David's Hall, Cardiff, Wales
'Long Remembered, Not Forgot', Ross' Auction House, Belfast, Northern Ireland
'Play', Proteus Gowanus, Brooklyn, New York, New York
'Renewal: Printmakers from Northern Ireland', Central Library, Kansas City, Missouri

2007
'Rediscovering Northern Ireland', Two person exhibition, Pyramid Atlantic, Washington, D.C.
The Iowa Biennial Exhibition, Iowa Hall Gallery, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
'Renewel: Cosmos Arts Club', International Art & Artists, Washington, D.C.
'Play', Proteus Gowanus, Brooklyn, New York
'Miniprint 2007', 6th Lessedra World Art Annual Mini Print, Sofia, Bulgaria
'Double Elephant', Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
'Unique Repetition', SpaceCRAFT Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
'Eyes of the Docks', Lagan Weir Gallery, Belfast Docklands, Belfast, Northern, Ireland
'Seacourt Print Workshop Annual', Clotworthy Arts Centre, Antrim, Northern Ireland

2006
The Iowa Biennial Exhibition, Project Art Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
'[re]collection', Solo Exhibition, An Gaileari, Falcarragh, County Donegal, Ireland
4th International Miedzynarodowe Biennale Miniatury Czestochowa [Award Winner]
BIMPE IV International Biennale Miniature Print Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
'Impressions', Galway Print Exhibition, Galway, Ireland
7th Triennale Original Prints, Chamalières, France
'Miniprint 2006', 5th Lessedra World Art Annual Mini Print, Sofia, Bulgaria
'Eyes of the Docks', Cork Docklands, Belfast, Northern Ireland
'Art on the Seafront', Billboard Prints, Bangor, Northern Ireland
'Shelf Life' PS2 Studios, Cathedral Quater Arts Festival Exhibition, Belfast, Northern Ireland
'Seacourt Print Workshop Annual', Bangor, Northern Ireland
'Past-Tense', Postcard Print Exchange, Gallery 181, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa