Jill Smith, Zodiac Candle
Produced on the occasion of Fruitmarket's 50th Anniversary.
In 1975, Smith was the first woman to take part in our exhibition programme as one half of the duo behind The Manifestations of the Obsessions and Fantasies of Bruce Lacey and Jill Bruce.
We welcomed Smith back to Fruitmarket in 2022 for a performance Re-emergence, and now for our 50th year she is making Fruitmarket a 'ritual journey'. These journeys are Smith's term for her works structured over a span of time by ritual actions across multiple locations chosen for their personal significance.
Previous journeys have referenced the eight pagan festivals of the year, or the zodiac calendar, but this will be her first use of the zodiac within the island landscape of Lewis and Harris that she has made her home.
From September 2023 to August 2024 Smith's rituals will build from her interpretation of the personality or persona of each star sign. This major new work will draw on her costume-making experience from her days as a pioneering performance artist in the 1970s, and will honour past performances from her career.
Each month, we share a diary entry on our website from Smith, alongside photographs taken by Lewis-based photographer Mhairi Law who has been travelling with Smith to capture her actions as they have taken place throughout the year.
The candles were produced with Jill's hand drawn map of her performance journey through the zodiac. They are seven day candles, selected for their rich history of ritual and intention. We hope that they act as an object that invites Jill's practice into your life.
Follow her journey at fruitmarket.co.uk