Biography
Jill Hackney (b. 1968, Ohio) explores the interplay of reflected light and atmosphere in her art. Known for her still lifes and landscapes, Hackney captures the impact of light on her subjects through her distinctive technique of layering paint using both vertical, linear strokes as well as a more painterly method. Each painting is approached with a sense of nostalgia. The end effect is a union of the senses, which awakens feelings of joy, serenity, and peace.
Growing up in New Orleans, she studied painting at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Louisiana State University, where she earned her BFA in Painting and Drawing. Hackney has participated in exhibitions at Duane Reed Gallery in St. Louis, Ann Connelly Fine Art in Baton Rouge, Judy Ferrara Gallery in Three Oaks, Harris Gallery in Houston, Festival Bogue d’Or in Redon, France, Art Fairs in Palm Beach, FL, Art Aspen, CO, and The Houston Art Fair, TX; among others
In addition to her exhibitions, Hackney co-curated the "Degrees of Separation" exhibition at The International Woman’s Foundation in Marfa, TX. This show featured collaborative works between artists and writers from Louisiana’s Acadiana region and those from Bretagne, France.
Jill Hackney currently resides and works in Pittsburgh, PA.
Artist’s Statement
I often wonder about the invisible rules that guide and control us. Why do we create these rules? Do they confine us, define us, or do they actually offer us freedom? These questions became particularly poignant for me when my child came out as transgender during the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. It made me think deeply about the freedom to live authentically and how we can redefine ourselves and how others see us. It also gave me the chance to reflect on my own life and art, to explore my creativity, and to challenge my own rules.
In my painting practice, I had leaned into a technique I developed using pig bristle brushes, creating layers of vertical lines that weave together like a tapestry. This technique had become a sort of rule for how I painted, guiding the execution of my artwork. But after my child came out as transgender, I started questioning my rules, giving myself permission to defy the boundaries I had erected around my art creation. This led to more energetic and expressive artwork, with lively brushstrokes. I continue to push this evolution/revolution in my work, delving deep into my imagination and letting it guide me in new directions, carving paths and discovering joy in the creative play that seems like it should only belong to children.
Most of my work falls into the realm of abstract-representational art with influences from the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. These paintings often shimmer and vibrate, creating a dream like ethereal image, drawing the eye across the canvas. In these works, instead of focusing on the objects, I explore the complexity of reflected light and how it shapes the relationships between objects, space, and atmosphere. In contrast, my newer experimental paintings are more abstract and conceptual with a sense of playfulness, created with a deep understanding of balance and composition.
The through line in all of my work is the infusion of a sense of nostalgia, aiming to evoke memories. These artworks are not just my memories but are intended to reshape, redefine, and reconnect us with our own histories, awakening the quieter moments in our minds.
