Jemima Burrill
Jemima Burrill is an artist and the curator of NOW Gallery, and the cultural consultant for Greenwich Peninsula. Her passion is to instigate cultural events that create new spaces where art can flourish. At NOW gallery she presents a selection of installations by fashion designers, artists and creatives. She likes to subvert places by working with interesting collaborators. Her latest interactive exhibitions with Molly Goddard and Something & Son using sewing and brickmaking, have been crucial in involving local communities and attracting people to the Peninsula. Jemima grew up in London, and studied Anthropology at Manchester in the 80s, then worked at a creative writing school, in publishing and at the Architecture Foundation before returning to study at Chelsea School of Art and then the Royal College of Art in the sculpture departments; whilst creating special projects for Architecture Week at the Arts Council. Her videos have been shown internationally and her performances have infiltrated the Barbican, Ace Hotel, the Freud Museum, and Up Project’s Floating Cinema. What connects her visually disparate work is a meticulous study of human relationships, especially woman’s ability to create their own worlds. She shows with Galerie Houg, Paris, and had a solo show there in 2016.
Website: http://www.jemimaburrill.co.uk, http://nowgallery.co.uk
Instagram: @jemimaburrill
Twitter: @jemimaburrill
What is your idea of perfect happiness?: My studio and time, and dappled sunlight, wild water, significant conversation with loved ones and sushi, ideally altogether
What is your greatest extravagance?: Tracey Neuls shoes, Cutler and Gross glasses, art - particularly by friends, and fizzy water
What is your current state of mind?: Getting there
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?: Let's eat!
Which talent would you most like to have?: To rock climb
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: Not to beat myself up so much
What do you consider your greatest achievement?: Juggling being an artist, a curator and a mother
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?: Naff as it sounds - I would love to be a dolphin
Where would you most like to live?: Dappled sunlight, wild water, with a good food source
What is your most treasured possession?: My mother died suddenly this year, and I have inherited a few precious things from her, but my favourite is her full length, quilted coat which I wrap around myself and can smell her
What is your favorite occupation?: Swimming in wild water and making - not together
What is your most marked characteristic?: Eccentric enthusiasm - but someone said it was my walk - apparently I stomp
What do you most value in your friends?: The fact they are my friends
Who are your favorite writers?: My favourite piece of writing is the letter Sol Le Witt wrote to Eva Hesse on April 14th which includes lots of 'DO' and 'Learn to say “Fuck You” to the world once in a while.' Favourite current writers: Dave Goulson, Joan Didon, Helen Macdonald and Bobby Baker
What is it that you most dislike?: Bigotry
What is your greatest regret?: Not being at the wrong place at the right time
What is your motto?: My Mum's legacy means I will always talk to strangers, think widely and be courageous, irreverent and curious.