Sandro Miller: I Am Papua New Guinea

Sandro Miller: I Am Papua New Guinea September 6 — November 9, 2019

Musée Magazine discusses the exhibition Sandro Miller: I am Papua New Guinea.

Lenscratch article discussing Catherine Edelman Gallery's current exhibition "Sandro Miller: I am Papua New Guinea"

SANDRO MILLER RETURNS TO CATHERINE EDELMAN GALLERY WITH “I AM PAPUA NEW GUINEA”

Catherine Edelman Gallery is thrilled to host the second solo exhibition of renowned photographer Sandro Miller with his newest project, I Am Papua New Guinea. The exhibition opens September 6 and runs through November 9, 2019. The work will also be featured at Expo Chicago, at Navy Pier, which runs September 19 - 22, 2019.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, September 6, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. The artist will be in attendance.

Papua New Guinea is a country rich in cultural diversity, known for its exquisite beaches, rainforests and active volcanoes. While it has a population of more than 8 million people, and 851 known languages, only a small percent live in urban centers. The rest of its people live in customary communities, areas owned by indigenous groups who manage their land and people through tribal customs. Sandro traveled to many of these communities with the help of Torsten Blackwood, one of Australia’s leading photojournalists, who graciously offered to introduce him to the numerous tribes he’s photographed throughout his career.

Sandro made three trips to Papua New Guinea over a two-year period, photographing 400 indigenous people from more than a hundred different tribes, including the Geremiaka mudmen near Asaro, the Huli wigmen of Tari and in the Yenchan village tambaran (spirit house) by the Sepik River. Headdresses, face painting, tribal dress and ornamental talismans take center stage during the annual Sing-Sing festival, peaceful gatherings where tribes share their traditions through song, dress and dance. At the crocodile festival in the Sepik basin, tribes celebrate the special bond they have with the crocodile, which symbolizes power and manhood, by enduring skin-cutting initiations that resemble the back of the reptile. At these festivals, Sandro set up a studio, inviting hundreds of people to have their portraits taken. For most of the sitters, it was the first time they had ever seen a photograph or what they looked like. The result is a powerful body of work of a thriving culture far removed from its industrialized neighbors.

For more than 35 years, Sandro Miller has run a successful photo / film studio in Chicago. With clients ranging from Forbes, GQ and Esquire, to American Express, Coca-Cola, Jimmy Dean and BMW, Sandro has secured his place as one of the top advertising photographers worldwide. His fine art work has been shown throughout the world and is in numerous collections including the Museum of Contemporary Photography (Chicago, IL) and the Elton John Collection. He is the recipient of dozens of awards, including the International Photographer of the Year for his achievements in photography from the Lucie Foundation in 2014 and again in 2015. A monograph, I Am Papua New Guinea, is scheduled for publication later this year and will be his tenth book showcasing his personal projects.

Discussion with Sandro Miller and Mark Golitko, Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 29, 6:00 pm

Catherine Edelman Gallery is excited to host a discussion, in the lower level, on Tuesday, October 29 at 6:00 pm between Sandro Miller and Mark Golitko, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame and Research Associate at The Field Museum of Natural History. Sandro and Mark will share stories about their experiences being in the southwestern Pacific island. This event is free and open to the public. More information and a link to RSVP here!

At the age of sixteen, upon seeing the work of Irving Penn, Sandro Miller knew he wanted to become a photographer. Mostly self-taught, Sandro relied on books published by many of the great artists canonized in photographic history. Through their pictures, he learned the art of composition, lighting and portraiture. More than 30 years later, with clients ranging from Forbes, GQ and Esquire, to American Express, Coca-Cola and BMW, Sandro has secured his place as one of the top advertising photographers worldwide.

His success in the commercial world allows him to continue his personal projects, which has included working in Cuba, photographing American blues musicians, various dance troupes, and extended endeavors with John Malkovich, his long time friend and collaborator. Sandro first met Malkovich in the late 1990s, while working on a job for Steppenwolf Theater. More than 16 years later, Sandro and John are still collaborating, which can be seen in their latest project, Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters.

In 2013, Sandro decided to do a project honoring the men and women whose photographs helped shape his career. After selecting thirty-five images to emulate, Sandro contacted Malkovich, who instantly agreed to participate. When speaking about Malkovich, Sandro states: “John is the most brilliant, prolific person I know. His genius is unparalleled. I can suggest a mood or an idea and within moments, he literally morphs into the character right in front of my eyes. He is so trusting of my work and our process… I’m truly blessed to have him as my friend and collaborator.”

Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters honors photographs that have impacted Sandro. Pieces include Irving Penn’s photograph of Truman Capote in a corner; Bert Stern’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe; Dorothea Lange’s image of a migrant mother; Robert Mapplethorpe’s self-portrait with a gun; Annie Leibovitz’s iconic image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono; Diane Arbus’s classic photo of a boy with a hand grenade; Richard Avedon’s beekeeper, among many others.

John Malkovich is considered to be one the greatest American actors of the 21^st century. In Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters, he demonstrates his chameleon-like proclivity, morphing into Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, John Lennon and Andy Warhol. Through his immense skill and Sandro’s amazing photographic eye, Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters pays respect to photographic history through the genius of a photographer and his muse.

Images from I Am Papua New Guinea are available as 11 x 14" or 20 x 16" / 16 x 16" and 24 x 20 / 24 x 24" pigment prints made in editions of 10 + 2 AP's and 5 + 2 AP's, respectively. Pieces can be printed black and white or color within the edition. Pieces range in price from $ 2200 to $ 4200 depending on size and availability. Prints mounted on aluminum are available as 40 x 53” in an edition of three for $7500. Backlit pieces are available as commissions, prices vary depending on size and availability.

Please call: (312) 266-2350 for prices of specific pieces.
Prices are print only unless otherwise indicated.