Peter Miller
Bio
Peter Miller can perhaps best be classified as a contemporary still life painter, although he also often works outside of that genre, incorporating narrative based and large portrait work (the latter of the two having become a strong passion for him).
In his still life work he tends to play with old and damaged objects that convey a sense of story and show the signs of time passing whilst also looking for and painting simple objects, objects that he sees a beauty in that may be missed by others, and through painting magnifying their beauty, in a sense placing them under a spotlight for the viewers awareness.
"My work had it's origins in the Dutch Vanitas paintings of the 16/17th century, the period during and following the boom time in the tulip trade in the Nederland. It has changed a lot over time, but I am still probably currently best known as a still life painter. The Vanitas influence is still there but not often obvious, except perhaps to myself. Over time I have brought the human figure into my work more and more, as a potential carrier of a stronger narrative. And now portrait work has taken my interest also, the challenge of trying to capture the essence of a person and personality.
In his still life work he tends to play with old and damaged objects that convey a sense of story and show the signs of time passing whilst also looking for and painting simple objects, objects that he sees a beauty in that may be missed by others, and through painting magnifying their beauty, in a sense placing them under a spotlight for the viewers awareness.
"My work had it's origins in the Dutch Vanitas paintings of the 16/17th century, the period during and following the boom time in the tulip trade in the Nederland. It has changed a lot over time, but I am still probably currently best known as a still life painter. The Vanitas influence is still there but not often obvious, except perhaps to myself. Over time I have brought the human figure into my work more and more, as a potential carrier of a stronger narrative. And now portrait work has taken my interest also, the challenge of trying to capture the essence of a person and personality.
CV
CV
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITION
2020- Time Machine: Foenander Galleries, Auckland
- Beneath The Surface: Foenander Galleries, Auckland
- This Mortal Coil: NKB Gallery, Auckland
- When I Grow Up: NKB Gallery, Auckland
- The Mark of an Object: Railway Street Gallery, Auckland
- The Age of Innocence: Whitespace Gallery, Auckland
- Time Passing, Passing Time: McPherson Gallery, Auckland
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION
2019- Transitions-nOva art space, Sofia, Bulgaria
- The Intimacy of Distance- NKB Gallery, Auckland
- Round- Gallery 33, Wanaka
- 12 Years On- Gallery 33, Wanaka
- Keepsake- NKB Gallery, Auckland
- Group exhibition, NKB Gallery, Auckland
- The Figurative Show- Vivian gallery, Matakana, Auckland
- Group exhibition- Gallery 33, Wanaka
- Xmas Group exhibition- Gallery 33, Wanaka
- Fusion- NKB Gallery, Auckland
- Xmas Group exhibition- Gallery 33, Wanaka
AWARD, RESIDENCY AND COMMISSION
2020- Walker and Hall award, Waiheke (finalist)
- Adam Portraiture award, Wellington (finalist)
- Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Whakatane (finalist)
- James Wallace Trust Art Award, Auckland (finalist)
- New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award, Hamilton (finalist)
- New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award, Hamilton (finalist)
- Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Whakatane (finalist)
- Adam Portraiture Award, Wellington (finalist)
- Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Whakatane (finalist, 1st prize)
