Govanhillian Jillian Mendoza talks about growing up in the area, the local arts scene, their identity, and their faith, and how exciting new changes to the local community allow for such freedom of self expression.

By Devon McCole

Photos and illustration by Jillian Mendoza

In May, final year students at Duncan Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee held a degree show, displaying their final projects of the academic year. Among them was twenty-one year-old Jillian Medoza, an aspiring artist and life-long Govanhill resident.

Jillian exhibited their final year project at the degree show, sharing their passion for Govanhill in an exaggerated cartoon map. The map featured all their favourite aspects of the area and is in homage to the place they call home.

The map shows Govanhill in the style of open-world sandbox video games like Animal Crossing with anthropomorphic Govanhill residents occupying the area, which has been transformed into a colourful island on the map.

The map shows a busy and vibrant reimagination of the area. Jillian said they wanted to “capture the unique character of the neighbourhood!” through their illustrations, as Govanhill is a place that has been so comforting to them growing up. Jillian was born in the Philippines but moved to Scotland from a young age and has lived in Govanhill ever since

We met with Jillian to talk about the project, their thoughts on living in Govanhill and why they wanted to pay respect to and celebrate the community…

Why did you choose the Govanhill map for your degree show?
Oh, I had the idea before I was given the brief. I’ve always wanted to write about or do something related to Govanhill. I’ve lived here since I was like two years old, so that’s for as long as I can remember!

When I was a baby, my mum got offered a job at a hospital in Glasgow so she went there and she left my dad, my brother and I behind in the Philippines. A year later she came back to get us and we flew to Scotland. We’ve been here ever since.

And as for the brief for the project, it was an open brief and we could make our own rules and have it be our own project so I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to convey my love for Govanhill.

On the map you described Govanhill as an ‘energetic’ and ‘diverse’ neighbourhood. This exaggerated, tight-knit map really does reflect this. Is this something you did on purpose to show how you see Govanhill?
Thank you! Yes, I really wanted to capture that and I feel like even as a resident every day is so different. There is just so much happening, especially around the local art scene, and there are a lot of local businesses opening up, which I find really nice.

What was the reaction to the map during the degree show?

The map received such a nice reception during the show - one commented on how they’ve never seen Govanhill interpreted in such a way before!

Another who was a life-long Govanhill resident too was intrigued by the map and asked me questions about my upbringing too. It sparked an interesting conversation regarding how the area has developed into what it is today!

You put Studio Malkuth on your map as one of the local businesses you love. As an artist yourself, is having access to a local space like Malkuth something that is important to you?

Yes, it is! It’s very important to me. They’re super cool people. I went there once and just seeing a local business let alone an art studio open up in the area is just something that made me feel really happy. We like to see that artistic representation!

You put Radio Buena Vida on the map, the local radio station, why did you feature this and have you taken part in any shows?

I haven’t done a show myself, but I was on a show once with a couple of friends, that was really cool. And just seeing opportunities regarding, you know, the arts and being able to do radio shows and stuff like that is really exciting to see for sure.

Growing up here I feel like it has changed so much, there’s a lot of opportunities for us now, especially us immigrants and people of colour. There’s just so much representation and I think that’s really important to show.

Govanhill is definitely an incredibly diverse area and on your map you mentioned there are many different places of worship in Govanhill. Why did you want to include this? Is faith important to you?

Yes, of course. So, recently I’ve been going back into my faith as a Christian because growing up, it has been such a comfort to me. All the schools I’ve been to were Catholic schools but then, you know, my friends and so many people I know come from all different walks of life, so it’s really cool to see.

I think that the interfaith aspect of the neighbourhood is definitely a strong point, it’s just the fact that people come from all different backgrounds and faiths and we all just vibe basically! And I feel like there are a lot of people that are strongly tied to their faith and it really helps build up Govanhill as a place of community.

You described the area as ‘earnest’. What is the most earnest part of Govanhill for you?

I guess it’s the people that are earnest. Yeah, like the people I talk to in the street, or in the shops, for me it’s the people that make up the neighbourhood. It’s just the energy in general, it’s just so positive and wherever I turn there is always something happening.

Also, the fact that it is such an inclusive area. You know, it’s just so gratifying to see so many people who are disabled, or who are queer, and people who are of the minority.

It’s so earnest to see all these workshops for different people, and classes that are targeted specifically for groups of minorities. I’m just so proud to see it and I’m like: ‘Yes! We need to see more of that happening!’

What does community mean to you?

Oh, now that’s a loaded question… What community means to me is people I guess. Community is people, you know, helping each other, and people building-up one another, and people striving to make something better, or someplace, a better place.

What does Govanhill look like to you in the future?

When I look at Govanhill in the future, what I see is a place of inclusivity, a place where people are true to themselves, and a place where people have the space to be who they are, I see a place of possibility.