
Jill Kennedy-McNeill
Visual Artist/MakerI’m an arts educator with a background in fashion and textiles, currently identifying as a visual artist. Just your basic jack of all trades, master of none. Training in fashion design was great but the reality of the industry at the time was less great and it wasn’t for me. I like the things I make to have ideasTM behind them and the commercial nature of fashion did nothing for me. When I did an MA I took my work in a more concept-driven direction but sewing remained integral to my process. I definitely see myself as a ‘maker’. Things have to be labour intensive for me to feel comfortable putting them out into the world and asking people to look at them, probably because I was brought up in a family that considers contemporary fine art to be “a load of old ***** ” so I think I’m always seeking validation through process and labour.
What influence does music have in your life as a creative?:
I’m not great at multitasking so I find it hard to do things that require concentration while listening to music, I find it too evocative and my mind goes all over the place. When I’m doing something challenging I listen to white noise or ASMR – a hoover or a hair dryer droning in the background is ideal. If I’m trying to come up with an idea or doing creative problem solving then that’s where music comes in.
Tell us about your playlist:
It’s an absolute sausage fest. I don’t listen to enough women, I’m ashamed of myself. It’s quite high energy and angry I guess, I don’t really listen to slow or sentimental songs (*with the exception of the same 5 songs I insist on subjecting people to on repeat and howling along to at the end of a night out). Explicit lyrics.
- Post That – Leikeli47
- Little – Octavian
- Unemployed – Tierra Whack
- Bling Bling – Junglepussy
- CLONES – Tierra Whack
- Shutdown – Skepta
- Dmtri – Action Bronson, The Alchemist
- Fight The Power – Public Enemy
- Me Myself And I – De La Soul
- Check the Rhime – A Tribe Called Quest
- Anti-Matter – King Geedorah, Mr Fantastik
- Witness (1 Hope) – Roots Manuva
- Die, Die My Darling – Fox Studio 1983 – Misfits
- Boys Wanna Be Her – Peaches
- Too Drunk to Fuck – Dead Kennedys
- Do the Dog – The Specials
- Having A Party – Lee “Scratch” Perry
- Something Good – Utah Saints
- LFO – LFO
- Crosseyed and Painless – 2005 Remaster – Talking Heads
- Moon Rocks – 2005 Remaster – Talking Heads
- Stil – Acid Arab, Cem Yıldız
- Gul l’Abi – Acid Arab, A-WA
- Criminal – Fiona Apple
- Nobody Speak – DJ Shadow, Run The Jewels