My work explores the themes of death, transience, memory, preservation, and both the frailty and resilience of the human spirit through challenging experiences.
"it would lose all purpose" is my reaction and processing of the expected passing of my father, which was quickly followed by the unexpected death of my sister. Immediately following their deaths in 2009, I began photographing the remainder of my family with significant objects symbolic of my dad and sister. I wanted to produce a means for the living to interact with the dead, thus keeping those departed alive. Photographing my nieces and nephews in places which hold our families' roots helped me bridge the gap I saw forming between the relationship of then and now.
I also use my work to illustrate the alienation I have felt as well as the fight to recover from the disconnect I built within myself as a coping mechanism. As time has passed, I continue creating portraits of my family to represent the various stages of grief my own psyche has traversed throughout the mourning process. I especially find catharsis in photographing my nieces and nephews, as they themselves are now the symbolic objects my sister and father live through.
Elaine Suzanne Miller explores the themes of death, transience, memory, preservation, and both the frailty and resilience of the human spirit through challenging experiences. While much of her work is based on personal experience, it encompasses universal themes which are intended to incite conversation and encourage others to tell their story.
She graduated with a B.F.A. from Indiana University in 2011. Her project, “it would lose all purpose” has been curated into multiple group shows nationally, with a solo show in PhotoNOLA. Elaine currently lives and works in Chicago, IL.
Images are available as 10 x 8" and 25 x 20" pigment prints made in editions of 25 for $750 (small) and $1100 (large). Some images may be available larger, please inquire for availability of specific pieces.
Please call: (312) 266 - 2350 for prices of specific pieces.
Prices are print only unless otherwise indicated.
and this too shall pass, 2010
Elaine Suzanne Miller, and this too shall pass, 2010
From the it would lose all purpose series
8 x 10", 20 x 25" pigment print
Edition of 25
equilibrium, 2015
Elaine Suzanne Miller, equilibrium, 2015
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
it comes in threes, 2011
Elaine Suzanne Miller, it comes in threes, 2011
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
it holds those memories, 2012
Elaine Suzanne Miller, it holds those memories, 2012
From the it would lose all purpose series
8 x 10", 20 x 25" pigment print
Edition of 25
resilience, 2016
Elaine Suzanne Miller, resilience, 2016
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
sickly moment of dark surprise, 2013
Elaine Suzanne Miller, sickly moment of dark surprise, 2013
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
survival mode, 2017
Elaine Suzanne Miller, survival mode, 2017
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
tell us what befell, 2012
Elaine Suzanne Miller, tell us what befell, 2012
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
that perpetual plague, 2015
Elaine Suzanne Miller, that perpetual plague, 2015
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the cocoon, 2012
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the cocoon, 2012
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the disconnect, 2014
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the disconnect, 2014
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the grass grows greener, 2015
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the grass grows greener, 2015
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the new brother, 2016
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the new brother, 2016
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the truth, 2012
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the truth, 2012
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the vestibule, 2011
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the vestibule, 2011
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
the youngest, 2016
Elaine Suzanne Miller, the youngest, 2016
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
where we once stood, 2016
Elaine Suzanne Miller, where we once stood, 2016
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25
which i returned with silence, 2012
Elaine Suzanne Miller, which i returned with silence, 2012
From the it would lose all purpose series
10 x 8”, 25 x 20” pigment print
Edition of 25