About

McIlhatton (B1985 Belfast) is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily with textiles, found materials, and sculptural installation.

McIlhatton views her work as a connective bridge. She believes we are drawn to rituals that provide comfort and order in our lives. Her practice developed as a salve, becoming a container for emotions too difficult to express. A space for calm reflection in contrast to her childhood shaped by conflict and fear.

Grounded in mythology of the divine female, intuitive hand processes; stitching, knotting and weaving create tactile installations and participatory sculptures. Inviting the viewer to activate and complete the work with gesture and intention. Challenging them to feel not just view.

Her labour of making is visible, celebrated and becomes the work itself. Performative embodied and interactive. Repurposing fashion waste and found objects, she practices a kind of sacred recycling. Nothing is discarded. Everything is transformed.

McIlhatton completed MASS Sculpture CC 2024/25. Taken part in the PADA residency in Portugal 2023.

In 2023 Jenny was a grantee of the British Council in the Philippines and the Forest Preservation Society (PH) to work in conversation and collaboration with the Indigenous Kalandang (Peace) weavers, ‘Interwoven, Life, Art and Peace’ exhibited in an international touring exhibition. London, Manila and Bukidnon.

McIlhatton has been shortlisted for the Clyde & Co and Longlisted for the Aesthetica Magazine Art prize 2025. Worked at Vivienne Westwood Couture (2010-14.) Graduated Fashion Design, 1st Class Hons. De Montfort University (2007).

PRESS (continued at bottom of page)

Hypebeast video featuring Celestial Bodies Solo Show

Artist interview with Looking Forward Substack 2026

System Magazine featuring Celestial Bodies Solo Show

Tank Magazine and Caroline Issa Insta feature

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Upcoming:

ING Discerning Eye. Mall Galleries London. November 2026

Past Solo:

Studio Nocturne, London. Celestial Bodies. June - September 2026

Heckmann Design Gallery Domestic Goddess; Worship at Her Altar. Solo show July -September 2024

Past Group:

Clyde & Co Art Prize. City of London. April 2025 - April 2026

Macfarlanes Art Prize. City of London. April 2025 - April 2026

Aesthetica Magazine Art Prize. York. September 2025.

INTERLACED The Painted Church. Cambridge. March 2025

Amen Lodge. St Pauls, London. SHRINES. March 2025

ARTSY. The End Gallery. Chinese New Year. Jan 2025

Southwark Park Galleries Annual open. November - December 2024

Women in Art Fair Mall Galleries London. October 2024

Tenderbooks Fashion and art pop up. London. August 2024

Community Centre AGMIHICU Ancestral Domain, Higaonon, Bukidnon. Philippines. Interwoven; Life, Art and Peace. Feb 2024.

UP CHE Museum Interwoven; Life, Art and Peace. Manila. Dec 2023 – Feb 2024

Drifter Gallery Interwoven; Life, Art and Peace. London. October 2023

PADA Gallery End of Residency show Lisbon. August 2023