Born in Walthamstow, London, Madge Gill began her artistic practice in 1919 following a period of personal trauma and illness. She claimed to be guided by a spirit entity named Myrninerest, which drove her to produce thousands of works throughout her life, often working through the night in a state of mediumistic inspiration.

Her signature aesthetic involves dense, monochromatic ink drawings on paper, cardboard, and calico, characterized by complex geometric patterns, architectural motifs, and the ethereal face of a woman. These works, often referred to as visionary art, were largely kept private during her lifetime and were discovered in her home after her death.

Today, Gill is recognized as a seminal figure in the field of outsider art. Her work is held in major institutional collections, and she continues to be the subject of scholarly interest and retrospective exhibitions that explore the intersection of mediumship and creative expression.