Gillian Richards is a visual poet whose multidisciplinary practice examines human responses to social issues and an Earth in crisis. Her work brings together writing and image-making across poetry, printmaking, painting, sculptural poetry, book arts, and unbound books, creating contemplative spaces where text and form intertwine.

Between 2015 and 2018, Gillian experienced significant mental and physical illness. She now reflects on this period with gratitude, recognising the gifts of time, guidance, and deep self-reflection it offered. This lived experience proved pivotal, leading her to surrender fully to her art practice and shaping the authenticity and depth that underpin her work.

Gillian began exhibiting in Brisbane in 2021 with the group exhibition Table 21 and has since had work selected for the Recovered Futures exhibition for four consecutive years. In 2023, she presented Walk Gently, a collaborative exhibition with Rachael Lee at Logan Art Gallery. Her recent exhibitions include shows with the Migaloo Press Artists Collective at Texas Regional Gallery (2024) and Lockyer Valley Regional Gallery (2025).

Intrigued by the multiple masks and layers people inhabit, Gillian is a self-described observer of life. She views time as a vital gift—one that allows layers of the self to be gently peeled back, revealing the richness and truth of lived stories.

Originally from Melbourne, Gillian now lives and works on Bullongin Country on Australia’s Gold Coast, where she creates from her purpose-built studio.