Lineage and Lines: How Family Ties Shape Jill Malek's Practice

Our designs, imbued with nature’s rhythms and fluidity, seek to tell a story. It's a tale that delves beyond the aesthetics of wallcoverings into a legacy shaped by caregivers, therapists and artists. While many might see just patterns and colors, those familiar with our narrative recognize care, wellness and heritage. To explore this connection and lineage further, we embarked on an enlightening exchange with three of Jill’s family members: a psychotherapist, a wellness consultant and a corporate art buyer, unveiling the parallels between their fields and Jill’s practice and philosophy.

Jill's designs subtly echo an undertone of care and empathy for a space, perhaps an intrinsic reflection of her family's legacy. The first family member to shed light on this lineage is Marlyn Diaz, Jill's first paternal cousin and a holistic nutritionist. Born in Philly and now residing in Los Angeles, Marlyn, a pioneer in the field of nutrition and holistic wellness, has a rich professional journey spanning from big brand food companies to launching her own nutrition and wellness coaching company, Marlyn Wellness, in 2010. Drawing parallels to Jill's work, Marlyn states, "Similar to Jill's brand mission of 'improving the well-being of a space through designs inspired by fluid forms in nature,' my brand, Marlyn Wellness, intersects by aiming to improve the well-being of people through food, lifestyle, and healthy home design—also inspired by nature." Marlyn further elaborates on the confluence of design and emotional well-being, noting, "What we surround ourselves with can impact our thoughts, mood, breath, nervous system, and brain health. Design has the ability to stimulate our senses or help us relax." Their shared appreciation for nature's influence is evident, with Marlyn emphasizing, "Jill uses nature as her guide. I too use nature as my guide. What's natural, real, organic, alive, soothing, playful, and helps to calm the nervous system inspires us both."

Jill’s second paternal cousin, Joyce Polish, provides another link with her experience in the art sales realm. Joyce first immersed herself in corporate art sales, where she placed art in various establishments including start-up companies and medical buildings. Finding the intersection of her love for arts and her skills in sales, she later joined Editions Limited in 1988 and played a pivotal role in its transformation into one of the world’s largest poster publishing companies. As the digital era dawned, Joyce was at the forefront of Studio EL’s inception in 2007, which focused on creating customized art for specific client needs and discovered the therapeutic potential of art for healing environments such as hospitals and senior living facilities.

Reflecting on her work in healthcare settings, Joyce emphasizes the transformative power of art, “It has been proven that art is extremely important in the healing of patients in healthcare facilities. I have studied the kind of imagery that is most successful in the process. There are many studies released each year that point towards empirical evidence of the healing power of art.” Aligning with Jill's aspirations, Joyce adds, “Jill is an extremely talented and caring person. Not only does she want to make the interior environment more beautiful for people, but she also strives to help people have a more calming and healing environment.” This convergence of art, design and the genuine intent to foster well-being underscores the similar yet distinct vision’s of Jill and Joyce. Where Jill’s work emphasizes creating tranquil spaces, Joyce's career resonates with the aim of enhancing environments for both beauty and healing.

Finally, at the crossroads of design and psychology is Jill’s first maternal cousin, Jess London-Shields, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist based in Chicago. With a rich background that spans from trauma-informed care at the University of Chicago's social work school to founding a non-profit focused on adolescent girls and gender-expansive youth, she understands the nuanced connections between our surroundings and our inner worlds. "Art can be an incredibly important part of healing," she mentions. Noting that giving imagery or expression to feelings can aid in understanding, acceptance, and even healing. "The art or designs therapists use to fill their space is a reflection of them. How a client interprets or engages with the art can provide insights into their inner world."

Having grown up with Jill's artwork decorating her spaces, Jess speaks to the power of art in therapeutic contexts. "Art can be an incredibly important part of healing," Jess explains, emphasizing its power to symbolize feelings otherwise left unspoken. Reflecting on her personal experiences with Jill's art, Jess fondly recalls Jill's "Monster" painting period. This unique phase, where Jill painted evocative and emotionally charged creatures, was possibly a reflection of Jill's journey of self-exploration and expression. Jess notes, "One can wonder if it was a part of her own therapeutic experience in some way." The presence of such art, rich in symbolism and emotion, in therapeutic spaces can catalyze introspection and understanding. "The art or designs therapists use to fill their space is a reflection of them. How a client interprets or engages with the art can offer a window into their inner world." Similarly, Jill's current work invites viewers on an introspective journey. The wallcoverings are calming yet intricate, allowing ample room for interpretation and exploration, an aspect Jess believes is beneficial for therapeutic spaces. 

The familial narrative deepens as Jess sheds light on their shared lineage. Their great-grandparents' involvement in the garment and textile industry during tumultuous times weaves a rich tapestry of resilience, collective care, and survival. With Jill's design work echoing this legacy, it becomes more than just aesthetic—it's a testament to history, healing, and understanding the human psyche. The backdrop of strong matriarchal influences, combined with a culture of direct communication and emotional fluidity, underscores the family's collective approach to human wellness and care.

In the tapestry of the Jill’s family narrative, service and wellbeing stand out as intricately interwoven threads. From her mother, a child therapist, and her aunt, a social worker specializing in families grappling with loss, to her father, the head pharmacist at a psychiatric institution, care has been more than a profession—it's a deeply rooted tradition. Each pattern and hue is meticulously crafted to serve as a sanctuary, exuding peace, warmth, and holistic wellness.

Designers and architects with ambitions to intertwine similar narratives into their projects are warmly encouraged to collaborate with us. We look forward to elevating spaces, making each a testament to care, emotion and narrative. Reach out to us, we are here to assist in realizing your visions. Apply for a trade account or reach out to us directly at info@jillmalek.com or call us at 718-207-9587.