Jillian Trujillo Hernandez
I am a multidisciplinary artist based in Maine, working primarily with drawing, textiles, and clothing to explore labor, memory, and working-class experience in America. I earned my degree in Art History from the University of Maine in 2022, where I focused on research, writing, and critical analysis of material culture and American art.
I’ve been a practicing artist for over 15 years, and my work often moves between mediums as a way of staying responsive to both process and subject matter. Currently, my practice centers on hand-drawn garments and large-scale textile works, using clothing as both surface and system. Through sewing and drawing, I create one-of-a-kind pieces that examine American melancholy, labor history, and the emotional weight carried by everyday objects.
My work is intentionally slow, tactile, and relationship-based, emphasizing authorship, access, and the role of art outside of commercial and mainstream markets.
Made with intention in Maine
Swordbreaker Garments creates one-of-a-kind clothing using muslin and locally sourced fabrics from Maine. Each piece is hand-made, washed, and air-dried before being slowly sewn and drawn on, allowing the material to soften, shift, and take on its own character. The process emphasizes durability, comfort, and individuality, giving new life to simple textiles through intentional, small-batch craftsmanship.
These garments are designed for everyday wear — clothing meant to move through real life. They’re made to be worn all day: running errands, resting at home, and heading out again without changing. Swordbreaker Garments focuses on timeless construction, functional design, and clothing that feels lived-in from the start.
Inspiration
The subject matter in my work comes from a desire to understand American violence, human nature, and the systems that shape both. I draw imagery that moves between safety and softness and elements that feel sharp, uneasy, or threatening, placing them in deliberate tension. Large areas of open space are intentional, allowing each object to stand on its own and carry weight within the garment.
I approach each piece as both a heritage object and a political one. Influenced by the idea of memory palaces, I use clothing as a site where personal history, collective memory, and resistance can coexist. These garments are meant to be kept, worn, and passed down — holding stories over time while also quietly pushing back against systems that flatten labor, care, and identity. Through drawing and textiles, I use clothing not only as a surface, but as a way to preserve history and assert control over meaning, value, and ownership.
Refund Policy
No refunds or returns are permitted. Thank you for understanding.
