From a love of corvids and entomology, and an interest in Norse mythology and folklore, Jillian Riley creates a collection of bottles with a twist. She enjoys exploring the dark & light sides of life, saying “For some your worst nightmare, for some pure pleasure”.
Jillian takes old poison, scientific and apothecary bottles, make moulds, and then slip casts them in parian or porcelain clay. The vessels may be decorated with oxides and waxes, as well as Jillian’s own illustrations of insects, plants, birds, text and spells and other delights, even including the odd dodo, a creature of which she is fond.
Some of Jillian’s vessels become more sculptural with cascades of porcelain flowers and plants. While others may have individually sculpted porcelain birds and creatures, mounted on hand-turned stoppers, and sometimes finished with either her own sterling silver or copper embellishments or repurposed items; thus making every piece totally unique.
Jillian Riley is one of Design-Nation’s Fellows.
