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Interview with Gillian Iles - "...formal investigation of space."

SP: Why are you interested in media’s manufacturing and presentation of events? GI: Visual imagery’s ability to influence the viewer is of continued interest to me.  The way a situation is presented visually can significantly alter a persons’ interpretation of it. The phrase “pictures don’t lie” is conditional.  The choice of vantage point and selection of what to include and what to crop out are just two of the myriad of visual decisions and factors that can create bias and influence the interpretation of an event.  Society to a large part relies on media to inform them. Media has the ability through visual decision making to show pictures that control the apparent significance and implied story of a situation or event.  The subjectivity of visual imagery and the manipulation of the viewer’s response are fascinating to me.

SP: Were you surprised that Jeanne Becker was the celebrity sitter?

GI: I suppose, yes - in that I had no idea whom to expect and would have been surprised by anyone.

SP: Was your experience on Star Portraits different than what you thought it was going to be?

GI: I didn’t really have a formed idea of what it might be like.  I think I anticipated that it would be more nerve-wracking than what it actually was.  But, in hindsight, painting is what I do, so why would I be that nervous?

SP: Why do you think you are compelled to paint portraits? GI: Portrait painting is only part of my subject matter and what I do.  Portraits interest me, because of the concept of summing up someone’s entire identity and existence in a single image.  The concept seems unfathomable and it is, however, if you can genuinely discover and strip down one aspect of that individual and truthfully capture it visually, that is indescribable.  If a viewer looks at a portrait and even for a moment forgets they are looking at a picture and feels they are in the presence of that real person – that is the prize.

SP: How do you maintain momentum in your art practice?

GI: Many ways. As an artist, I am most content when I am working through an idea; therefore, my natural tendency is to create.  You can’t turn your brain off, so there are always new ideas germinating.  I get excited about them, investigate and develop them.  External influences also help; having someone propose an exhibition concept, problem or venue also activates me creatively, often in directions that I may not have considered on my own.  It really is just about being open to any and all influences, constantly observing and letting all the seemingly mundane parts of everyday life seep in as potential creative sources.

SP: Are there subjects you prefer to paint? GI: Not entirely. My images are very concept generated, but always include representational imagery.  I am equally interested in suggested or indirect narrative and the formal organization or abstract potential of representational imagery. I generally work on paintings in a series format where I will investigate a subject with a group of paintings. Each series tends to be related by direct or tenuous evolution. My interests evolve and therefore my subject matter does too.  I can’t imagine painting the same subject matter or making the same compositional decisions consistently.  After each series I discover a brand new visual problem that I want to challenge myself with. Each series and painting for me is a challenge to visually represent evolving concepts more effectively.

SP: Where do you see yourself and your art in the future?

GI: Continuing to build on each success.  I am becoming more focused on international exposure and potential representation. I both hope and fear that I will never be completely satisfied with my work.  That pushes my work forward.  Ultimately, I want to make work that is uniquely my own yet consistently is relevant and affects viewers.

Artist Stats

Gillian Iles’ work compares and contrasts individuals’ public and private personas. She is interested in media’s manufacturing and presentation of events.

www.gillianiles.com