Short Biography

Jill Sutherland, a versatile multimedia artist and accomplished portrait photographer, believes that revealing our intimate experiences threads humanity into a vibrant tapestry of life. She underscores, "The more personal the art, the more universal the message”

In her recent works, Sutherland explores the interplay of light and shadow within archetypes and eroticism, the intricate layers of pain and healing entwined in addiction experiences, and the profound ache of losing connection to one’s inner truth.

Sutherland's journey encompassed 16 years within the realm of industrial metalworking, an environment brimming with formidable energy. This prolonged exposure granted her an extensive grasp of the intricacies of the trade. Amidst this immersion into a predominantly masculine domain, she found a pathway to heal long-held wounds from her childhood. The passing of her mother served as a poignant turning point, beckoning her to plunge into the nurturing embrace of feminine, maternal energy. This personal encounter with grief guided her to creative pursuits that endeavored toward purpose and delight while also facilitating her personal healing.

Additionally, as half of the Staveley and Sutherland creative partnership, she and Anne Staveley collaborate on large-scale photography murals and award-winning interactive installations, most notably the Staveley and Sutherland creation of "Circle of Doors Tarot," chosen for the Burning Man Honorarium Exhibition. This project extends their fine art Tarot deck, celebrating the illuminating power of intuition intrinsic to the divine feminine.

She is currently working in the realm of experimental mixed media, incorporating photography and printing techniques, found objects, and collage.

Full Biography

Jill Sutherland, a versatile multimedia artist and accomplished portrait photographer, believes that revealing our intimate experiences threads humanity into a vibrant tapestry of life. She underscores, "The more personal the art, the more universal the message”

From a young age, she confronted the impact of being labeled with a learning disability and the subsequent stigma. This internal struggle became her impetus to transcend conventional norms over the years. In her recent works, Sutherland explores the  interplay of light and shadow within archetypes and eroticism, the intricate layers of pain and healing entwined in addiction experiences, and the profound ache of losing connection to one’s inner truth.

Sutherland's journey encompassed 16 years within the realm of industrial metalworking, an environment brimming with formidable energy. This prolonged exposure granted her an extensive grasp of the intricacies of the trade. Amidst this immersion into a predominantly masculine domain, she found a pathway to heal long-held wounds from her childhood. The passing of her mother served as a poignant turning point, beckoning her to plunge into the nurturing embrace of feminine, maternal energy.

This personal encounter with grief guided her creative pursuits toward endeavors that kindle purpose and delight while also facilitating her personal healing. Infused with compassion, she delves into distressing themes, extracting solace from her own reservoirs of pain. This vulnerability connects her with kindred spirits, aiming to create a shared realm of understanding.

Through a diverse palette of photography techniques, Sutherland navigates human complexity, injecting humor into introspective shadows, and illuminating even the dimmest corners. Her artistic journey uncovers the layers of oscillating dualities—masculine and feminine, obscure and luminous, connection and detachment.

As half of the Staveley and Sutherland creative partnership, she and Anne Staveley collaborate on large-scale photography murals and award-winning interactive installations. Their relationship has been a pivotal and inspiring journey of sisterhood for Sutherland. Recently, their collaborative brilliance gave birth to the enigmatic "Circle of Doors Tarot," chosen for the Burning Man Honorarium Exhibition. This project extends their fine art Tarot deck, celebrating the illuminating power of intuition intrinsic to the divine feminine.

In the tapestry of creativity and human connection, Jill Sutherland stands as a radiant thread, weaving her personal journey and transformative artistry into the intricate fabric of shared experience. With each click of her camera, each stroke of her artistic expression, she not only captures moments but also unearths the profound layers of emotion, resilience, and vulnerability that make us fundamentally human. Through her dedication to illuminating the spectrum of human existence, Sutherland invites us all to reflect on our own stories, to embrace our dualities, and to find solace in the universal beauty of the human spirit. She is currently working in the realm of experimental mixed media, incorporating photography and printing techniques, found objects, and collage.

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