Jill Smith’s Zodiac Journey
In 1975, Jill Smith was the first woman to take part in our exhibition programme as one half of the duo behind The Manifestations of the Obsessions and Fantasies of Bruce Lacey and Jill Bruce.
In 1975, Jill Smith was the first woman to take part in our exhibition programme as one half of the duo behind The Manifestations of the Obsessions and Fantasies of Bruce Lacey and Jill Bruce.
We welcomed Smith back to Fruitmarket in 2022 for a new performance work called Re-emergence, and now, for our 50th year, she is making Fruitmarket a new ‘ritual journey’. These journeys are Smith’s term for her works structured over a span of time by ritual actions across multiple locations chosen for their personal significance. Previous journeys have referenced the eight pagan festivals of the year, or the zodiac calendar, but this will be her first use of the zodiac within the island landscape of Lewis and Harris that she has made her home.
From September 2023 to August 2024 Smith’s rituals will build from her interpretation of the personality or persona of each star sign. This major new work will draw on her costume-making experience from her days as a pioneering performance artist in the 70’s, and will honour past performances from her career.
Each month, we will share here a diary entry from Smith, alongside photographs taken by Lewis-based photographer Mhairi Law who will travel with Smith to capture her actions as they take place throughout the year.
Images: Laura Cameron-Lewis and Tiu Makkonen
