JILL WELLS ART

Jill Wells is an American artist, advocate, and mentor based in Iowa. Her work explores the intersection of accessibility, disability inequality, race, and history, utilizing tactile and Braille-infused public art. She works across multiple mediums, including painting, performance, sound, light, tactile art, and large-scale murals, challenging social hierarchies and promoting inclusivity.

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A 2005 graduate of Drake University with a BFA in painting and art history, Wells founded ARTIST X ADVOCACY (AXA) Mentorship Program in 2020, supporting emerging Iowa artists, of all abilities, and fostering inclusivity. One of her key achievements is the creation of Iowa’s first multisensory tactile mural at Martin Luther King Elementary School in 2023 and Iowa's first 3D Mural Model Project. Wells' innovative use of tactile objects and Braille has sparked widespread conversation and positioned her as a leader in inclusive art.

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Wells has exhibited and presented nationally and internationally, with notable projects at the United Nations, The Zero Project in Vienna, the International Conference Center in Belfast, Al-Quds Bard College in East Jerusalem-Palestine, the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center, the Dubuque Museum of Art, and the Des Moines Art Center. She is an inaugural artist fellow of the Harkin Institute, a TEDx speaker, and a recipient of the 2024 Tanne Award. Her works are held in both public and private collections globally.

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ARTIST STATEMENT:

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Why do you sound White?

 

As an artist, I’ve long questioned intersectional identities, recognizing how history, stereotypes, and lived experiences influence internal and external perspectives of one’s identity. My work delves into these socially constructed ideas about selfhood, identity, and belonging, focusing on the shared experiences of individuals within communities. I am committed to addressing issues of identity, race, accessibility, communication, history, and civil rights—problems that are profoundly personal to me as a biracial person who was raised in a single-parent household in the predominantly white Midwest.

 

Growing up, I navigated rural, suburban, and urban environments, confronting microaggressions and shifting identities within different social classes. As the youngest of three, my siblings taught me the value of advocating for myself and taking risks. In 1999, our family dynamic shifted drastically and traumatically when my brother suffered a massive brain aneurysm. One of the impacts of this trauma was the loss of his eyesight. This life experience led me to expand my artistic practice from purely visual art to multisensory works, prioritizing accessibility.

 

In my practice, I use a range of mediums and materials, spatial compositions, narratives, and collaborative partnerships to engage with the world critically and inclusively. Accessibility is a priority for communicating more effectively with my brother and reaching a wider audience of diverse abilities and identities. Through my art, I aim to foster dialogue and awareness about human interaction and create work that connects people beyond my experience. I envision a future where inclusivity and accessibility in the arts are not exceptions but the norm. My work is an extension of my love languages, a deep concern for safety and others, and a commitment to advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion through the arts—now and in the future.