Madge Gill
For further information
and a list of works
currently available
| The
tremendous creative outpourings of the mediumistic artist Madge Gill
began after her only daughter died at birth in 1919 and a subsequent
illness during which she lost the sight in one eye. Her early life
had been no less traumatic. Born in london to an unmarried mother,
at the age of nine she was placed in an orphanage and subsequently
sent to Canada as a farm servant. Gill returned to london when she
was nineteen and before her marriage lived with an aunt, who introduced
her Spiritualism. Gill's discovery of drawing was a direct result
of attempts to contact her daughter and one of her sons, who had died
during the influenza epidemic of 1918, the other side. She maintained
that she was guided by a spirit she called Myrninerest and often signed
works in that name. Her oeuvre ranges from postcards, produced after
another in all-night sittings, to drawings covering immense rolls
of calico, which she finished incrementally, earlier parts of the
drawing becoming hidden as the fabric was rolled to reveal a new blank
surface. At times Gill exhibited work at amateur art exhibitions in
the East End of london, but rarely sold her creations, insisting that
the belonged to her spirit guide.
Prices range
from $300 for small postcard sized drawings to approx $4500 for
the larger 25 x 20 inch ink drawings on card. Henry Boxer Gallery
has a good range of drawings not illustrated above of various sizes
and price ranges. Images can be sent on request. |
