Born and raised in Scotland, Jill Kinnear received her initial degree in Textile Design from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee.  Following a three year teaching contract in Papua New Guinea at the National Art School, she emigrated to Australia where she received both a Masters of Visual Art (Research) and PhD from the University of Southern Queensland.  She worked as a full-time artist and designer in Australia for many years, fulfilling major public art and design commissions for State Government, such as the 330 square metre memorial artwork in glass for Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.  She also exhibited throughout Australia and contributed to international group shows in the UK, New Zealand and South Korea.  Her work has been recognized through major design awards and grants, including the Design Institute of Australia’s Design Excellence Award, a Churchill Fellowship, an Australia Council grant for new work and Arts Queensland funding.  Her work is held in international collections including the National Museum of Scotland and the State Library of Queensland, Australia.  Her experiences of emigration, cultural remembrance and sense of place continue to be central to her research and textile production. 

Jill Kinnear presently holds the position of Professor of Fibers at Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia, USA. 

Photo: Ann-Maree Reaney 

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