Review: Kellie Miller at Artists Open Houses
It was a cold, crisp but sunny Saturday morning when I walked around Brighton & Hove to sample the Christmas Artists Open Houses, a festival that offers an array of work from contemporary and original local artists and makers, displayed in their own homes.
Looking at the helpful map, printed in the AOH guide, I followed the trail to discover different handcrafted objects, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles, photography and design.
The first on my list was the studio of Kellie Miller in Hove where I was warmly greeted by Kellie and her partner who offered me some spiced mulled cider. I was there to see her new venture called 'Arty Pants', an exciting range of tableware inspired and developed in partnership with early years children and schools. Plus I wanted to see other unique work including Kellie's wall installations, mixed media pieces, ceramics and paintings.
I wasn't disappointed and Kellie was happy to talk through her background, inspiration and ideas. What I especially loved was Kellie's own colour palette wall where she had painstakingly created ceramic samples in different hues and tones. Of course, Kellie is internationally renowned for her ceramic vessels and wall pieces and her works are held in museum collections around the world including Taiwan, Japan and the UK. Her work has been featured widely in the press, including The Times, The Guardian, Elle Decoration and Homes and Gardens.
Thank you Kellie for showing me around your beautiful studio.
About Kellie Miller
Kellie graduated from Camberwell School of Art in 1991, then Brighton University in 1994 and gained her MA in Arts Criticism from City University, London in 2001.
In 1996 she set up Biscuit Studio, where many artists and designers have worked, including makers from Japan and Turkey. Her aim is to continue to develop Biscuit Studio as a forum for cultural exchange and artistic practice.
During this time she became a founder member of Hove Arts, an organisation linking artists’ houses, studios and workshops as part England’s major art festival.
Her relationship with Japan started in 2002 where she spent several months in an artist residency. Most recently she has been selected to exhibit her 101 Couture cups at Mino Museum’s 8th International Ceramics Festival 2008.
In addition to exhibitions in the UK, Denmark and Germany, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Japan and Brighton and Hove Museum, England have all added her work to their collection.
Her work has been featured widely in the UK press, including The Times, The Guardian, Elle Decoration and Homes and Gardens.
To find out more visit www.kelliemiller.com.
