Gillian Whaite was born in London, daughter of the artist H. Clarence Whaite. Studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in 1952-56, at the University of London Institute of Education in 1958-59 and at the Royal Academy Schools in 1968-69 and 1977-78. Became a lecturer at St. Gabriel's College of Education in 1959-78. Solo exhibitions included Camden Arts Centre in 1982 and Royal Free Hospital in 1983. Shared exhibitions with her father at South London Art Gallery in 1979. Her work is held by the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA.