Madge Gill

Madge Gill was a self-taught artist and spiritual medium whose intricate drawings and textiles have become emblematic of outsider art. Born Maud Ethel Eades in the East End of London, Gill believed that her work was created under the guidance of a spirit named Myrninerest, producing thousands of drawings, embroideries, and textiles in a trance-like state. Her art is characterized by dense, swirling patterns and stylized faces, often rendered in ink or thread on paper and fabric. Despite her prolific output, she rarely exhibited her work and never sold any pieces, fearing it would anger her inner spirit. After her death in 1961, her son Laurie donated much of her oeuvre to the London Borough of Newham Archives. Her work has been exhibited internationally including in Lausanne, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and beyond. Gill’s work is held in prominent collections including the Collection de l’Art Brut, the Centre Pompidou, and the Whitworth Museum.