Jill Drllevich (b. 1950, Brooklyn, New York)
Jill Drllevich creating new nuclear sculpture for her arts initiative, Blades of Change
BIO
An accomplished multimedia artist, and arts educator, Drllevich has been based in the Pacific Northwest for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she weaves her playful style and eclectic, abstract realism into everything she touches; from nuclear sculpture, mural painting to glass, welded metal sculpture, ceramics, prop design, landscape design, and jewelry.
Drllevich approaches each new artistic challenge with a unique and innovative perspective, organically cultivating colorful, fun, and often functional pieces. Influences include her dedication to the environment, wildlife, and her around-the-world travels in a motorcycle sidecar completed in her mid-70s.
An accomplished multimedia artist, and arts educator, Drllevich has been based in the Pacific Northwest for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she weaves her playful style and eclectic, abstract realism into everything she touches; from nuclear sculpture, mural painting to glass, welded metal sculpture, ceramics, prop design, landscape design, and jewelry.
Drllevich approaches each new artistic challenge with a unique and innovative perspective, organically cultivating colorful, fun, and often functional pieces. Influences include her dedication to the environment, wildlife, and her around-the-world travels in a motorcycle sidecar completed in her mid-70s.
Artist Statement
I am a collector of the unusual. Every place I travel, I leave my belongings behind and fill my bags up again with rusty metal, trashed treasures, and the fruits of my beach combing.
For the entirety of my 75 years of life, I have been plagued with an inquiring mind. Every passion, desire, and interest I pursue leads me down a multitude of diverse paths. Thankfully, I have come to learn that this curse is also a gift and I've come to embrace my Renaissance soul. When I am creating, my mind wanders and I ask myself, "what would happen if…"
My versatile ideas come to life in glass, metal, painting, ceramics, and large-scale nuclear sculpture. In 2017, I founded Blades of Change, an equitable nuclear arts initiative collaborating with artists to bring monumental found object nuclear sculptures to life.
I am a collector of the unusual. Every place I travel, I leave my belongings behind and fill my bags up again with rusty metal, trashed treasures, and the fruits of my beach combing.
For the entirety of my 75 years of life, I have been plagued with an inquiring mind. Every passion, desire, and interest I pursue leads me down a multitude of diverse paths. Thankfully, I have come to learn that this curse is also a gift and I've come to embrace my Renaissance soul. When I am creating, my mind wanders and I ask myself, "what would happen if…"
My versatile ideas come to life in glass, metal, painting, ceramics, and large-scale nuclear sculpture. In 2017, I founded Blades of Change, an equitable nuclear arts initiative collaborating with artists to bring monumental found object nuclear sculptures to life.
I like to imagine what it would be like if humanity and nature could dissolve the walls that separate them. What if life was a dance instead of a struggle? What if we could embrace empathy and walk in the minds of others? I seek answers to those questions through my art-making practice.
I have had the privilege to travel around the globe in a motorcycle sidecar over the last two years. Traveling great distances in the open air encourages me to use all my senses, to slow down, capture the moment, and observe things I pass by carefully and completely. Time creeps to near halt, bringing my senses into hyper-focus. As I travel, I imagine I'm weaving an artistic fabric, one that includes a bit of what I've picked up from others, and some pieces of me that I've left behind. I will continue this journey until there is no "me" and no "them," but only "us."
I have had the privilege to travel around the globe in a motorcycle sidecar over the last two years. Traveling great distances in the open air encourages me to use all my senses, to slow down, capture the moment, and observe things I pass by carefully and completely. Time creeps to near halt, bringing my senses into hyper-focus. As I travel, I imagine I'm weaving an artistic fabric, one that includes a bit of what I've picked up from others, and some pieces of me that I've left behind. I will continue this journey until there is no "me" and no "them," but only "us."
Selected Exhibitions
2025
What if? Jill Drllevich and Blades of Change
April 3- 25, 2025
Studio 103, Tashiro Kaplan Building, Seattle, WA
2025
A Happening!
July 6 - August 22, 2025
A/NT Gallery
Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
2024-2025
Balance Nuclear Sculpture
City of Auburn's 2024-2025 Downtown Sculpture Gallery
B St SW & Main, Auburn, WA
2024-25
Ongoing outdoor nuclear sculpture installation
Smith & Vallee Gallery, Bow, WA
2024
Fowl Play Annual Bird Invitational
Smith & Vallee Gallery, Bow, WA
2024
You Are Here: Contemporary Still Life and Other Beauties Among Us
The Lakeshore, Seattle, Washington
2023
Organized Mischief
The Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), Seattle, WA
2023
Shunpike Storefronts Featured Artist
Fishbowl Gallery + Studios, Seattle, WA
2022
City of Auburn's 2023-2024 Downtown Sculpture Gallery, Auburn, WA
People's Choice Award Auburn, Washington
2022
Blades of Change: The Tipping Point
FOGUE Gallery & Studios, Seattle, WA
What if? Jill Drllevich and Blades of Change
April 3- 25, 2025
Studio 103, Tashiro Kaplan Building, Seattle, WA
2025
A Happening!
July 6 - August 22, 2025
A/NT Gallery
Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
2024-2025
Balance Nuclear Sculpture
City of Auburn's 2024-2025 Downtown Sculpture Gallery
B St SW & Main, Auburn, WA
2024-25
Ongoing outdoor nuclear sculpture installation
Smith & Vallee Gallery, Bow, WA
2024
Fowl Play Annual Bird Invitational
Smith & Vallee Gallery, Bow, WA
2024
You Are Here: Contemporary Still Life and Other Beauties Among Us
The Lakeshore, Seattle, Washington
2023
Organized Mischief
The Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), Seattle, WA
2023
Shunpike Storefronts Featured Artist
Fishbowl Gallery + Studios, Seattle, WA
2022
City of Auburn's 2023-2024 Downtown Sculpture Gallery, Auburn, WA
People's Choice Award Auburn, Washington
2022
Blades of Change: The Tipping Point
FOGUE Gallery & Studios, Seattle, WA