SEED by Gillian Blease
T
his tile design has come from a pastime that competes
Gillian Blease | Born 1970 in Congleton, Cheshire, Gillian
with illustration for my attention—gardening. I have
studied Fine Art at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
recently begun studying horticulture to try and satisfy my
After graduating she was employed by the Whitworth Art
curiosity and have the utmost respect and fascination for
Gallery in Manchester and continued her art practice at local
plant life both from botanical and aesthetic perspectives. My
studios until she was awarded an artist’s ‘work/live’ residency
studies have allowed me to research shape and form in detail,
in London in 1997. When a piece of work was featured in a
literally through a microscope!
current affairs magazine in 2001 she recognised a medium
Having lived in Japan, when young, and since travelled there
with which she felt instantly comfortable.
I am very drawn to motifs and icons and as a result my work
Having taught herself creative software she set herself up as
is often pared down to the simplest form. Conversely, a key
a digital illustrator and never looked back. Chiefly an editorial
inspiration is the late Joseph Frank of the Stockholm design
illustrator Gillian’s clients include The Guardian newspaper,
company Svenkst Tenn who really did justice to the drama and
the Economist, Wired Magazine and the Trade Union Congress.
diversity of flora in his exuberant fabric and wallpaper designs.
As an antidote to current affairs and having always been
I imagine the tiles as a fluid rippling expanse on a tall wall,
influenced by applied and surface pattern design she be-
‘seeds’ en masse as if packed into a flower.
gan developing her own patterns in 2006 which have since found their way onto book covers, table mats and now concrete tiles!
Tile elements: 1 form
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Recommended colours: Moon Garden | Night Straight | Reliable Shaman