British artist Jilly Barr’s path towards a career in art and illustration is original to say the least. Having originally studied Computer Science at Glamorgan and Gloucestershire University and winning an award from GCHQ for research into intrusion detection and prevention, she began her career on a graduate scheme as an infrastructure analyst and quickly moved on to leading a team of engineers in a Global Network Operations Centre. In 2005 Jilly moved out of technology to pursue a more creative career and co-founded 10 Yetis, a consumer public relations agency based in the Cotswolds now with over 15 staff and clients across the Globe.
Combining objects from kitchen utensils to straws and acrylics, spray paints and pens, Jilly produces bright and colourful mixed media artwork with a strong graffiti influence. Having taken a recent career break to start a family, she returned to work in 2013 and has recently begun creating new work. With the recent influences from her children taking on a more abstract and carefree style, though still heavily influenced by street art and fashion, Jilly’s style is impulsive and spontaneous.