Jill Smith

Jill Smith in conversation with David Eastauggh https://www.jill-smith.co.uk/ Born in London, Jill trained as an actress at RADA, and was later known as Jill Bruce. In the 1970s and early 1980s, she was a Performance Artist in partnership with the late Bruce Lacey. For five years they received funding from the then Arts Council of Great Britain. Evolving through science fantasy and alchemy, the performances were spectacular, largely outdoor, ceremonial, ritual celebrations of the turning cycles of earth and cosmos. Jill evolved her wonderful costumes as a form of living sculpture, wearing them to evoke the spirits and energies of the elements and forces she was honouring. The performances were at venues all over Britain: at fairs, festivals, art centres, colleges, art galleries; and alone at ancient sites – the documentation of these being later exhibited with installation and Performance at major exhibitions, including two at the Acme Gallery and one at the Serpentine.