Ishbel Morag Miller
Biography
Multi-award-winning artist Ishbel Morag Miller devoted much of her artistic passion to still life paintings. She particularly pays homage to Australia’s magnificent flora and fauna. Recurring subjects throughout her work including native plants such as proteas, banksias and eucalypts that are carefully selected and arranged in translucent glass vases against a lavish draped backdrop. This arrangement creates a delightful play of light, colour, shapes, and shadows that cast within and beyond the glass vases. Miller’s ingenious detailed response to light and objects is a unifying element across her collection of works, creating a whimsical and lyrical atmosphere. A bouquet of flowers through the artist’s precise composition becomes an intimate portrait, with a sense of personae and profound stillness. Miller received multiple art awards throughout her career. Her works are widely collected in Australia’s private collections as well as in the public collection of the Maitland Regional Gallery (purchased by the Margaret Hannah Olley Foundation). Overseas private collections include Egypt, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Artist Statement
I have worked with different genres, but I love painting still life. It allows me to focus on the play of light and colour in addition to reflections and the shadows. I spend time selecting my bits and pieces wondering how they will play off each other when I arrange them in groupings. I employ glass vases, bottles, ceramics and drapery to create an interaction of translucent colourful reflections. It’s like a game of chess, each move having a concertina effect. I dedicate my still life works to Australian unique flora and fauna through the selection of native flowers as well as native birds and butterflies.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 Flora Abunda Australis II, Thienny Lee Gallery, Sydney
2021 Flora Abunda Australis…, Thienny Lee Gallery, Sydney
2006 Domestic Scenes – Urban Vistas, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
2004 Wentworth Park Series, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
2003 Hyde Park, The 4th Floor Gallery, Sydney
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020 Artists of Mosman 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
2019 Student and Teacher Exhibition, The Julian Ashton Art School Exhibition at The Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Sydney
2019 Mosman Art Society Nine by Five Exhibition, The Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney.
2015 Student and Teacher Exhibition, The Julian Ashton Art School Exhibition at The Sydney Mechanic’s School of Arts, Sydney.
2012 Deck the Wall, Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney
2012 Lane Cove Council Art Award Exhibition, 1st Prize Pastels or Drawings, Lane Cove, Sydney.
2011 LYNNE BOYD, JANET DAWSON, ISHBEL MORAG MILLER, Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney
2011 Still Life Art Prize, National Trust, Harper’s Mansion, Berrima.
2011 ‘We Love Art’ Art Program, Fundraising Function, St Vincent’s & Mater Health, Sydney.
2010 Streetscapes, Frances Keevil Gallery, Sydney.
2010 Energy and Movement 32nd Art Show, St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill, Sydney.
2009 Shelf Life, The Delmar Gallery, Sydney.
2009 Paint, Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney.
2008 Plate Auction, National Art School, Sydney.
2008 Plein Air Painting Prize, Parliament House, Sydney.
2008 Salon Des Refuses, Wynne, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney.
2007 Shelf Life, The Delmar Gallery, Sydney.
2007 Emsla Eutick Memorial Still Life Award Exhibition, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.
2007 Mosman Art Prize Exhibition, Sydney.
2006 Mosman Art Prize Exhibition, Sydney.
2006 Xavier Art Space, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
2006 Worth Fighting For! NAS Exhibition, Sydney Artworld, Sydney.
2005 Dobell Prize Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.
2005 Infusion, National Art School, Sydney.
2004 I Love a Sunburnt Country, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
2004 ASX-Reuters/Fonas Art Exhibition, Cell Block, National Art School, Sydney.
2004 Parliament House Exhibition, FONAS, Parliament House, Sydney.
2003 Infusion, National Art School, Sydney.
2003 Mosman Art Prize, Sydney.
2003 Waverly Art Prize, Sydney.
2003 New Talent II, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
2003 Salon Des Refuses, Wynne, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney.
2002 Oil and Coil, National Art School, Sydney.
2002 The Degree Show, National Art School, Sydney.
2002 Outback and Beyond, Cell Block, National Art School, Sydney.
Art Awards
2012 Lane Cove Council Art Award, 1st prize Pastels for Drawings
2002 Robin Gibson Gallery Exhibition Award for Excellence in Painting
2001 Sydney Royal Arts, Crafts Show – Sydney Royal Easter Show, Highly Commended – ceramics
2001 Liverpool City Arts Festival, Highly Commended Art Prize
2001 The City of Ryde Art Society Inc, 41st Ryde Art Award, Highly Commended – works on paper
Education
2008 – 2009 Bachelor of Teaching in Secondary Education (Visual Arts), University of Technology, Sydney
2000 – 2002 Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts – major painting), The National Art School
1997 – 1998 Diploma in Art History and Theory, The University of Sydney
1993 – 1995 Degree in Arts (Japanese and Linguistics), The University of Sydney
1984 – 1985 Certificate in Art, (major painting), (former) East Sydney Technical College
Collections
2003 Maitland Regional Gallery (Purchased by the Margaret Hannah Olley Foundation)
In Private Collections Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, Australia
Selected Bibliography
2011 Openings and The Arts in Sydney (20/06/2011-26/06/2011),
2011 Sydney Art Galleries and Art Community, Online
2009 Sesqui Show, Inner West Courier
2004 Exhibitions – Lenny Ann Low, The Sydney Morning Herald
2003 ‘Emerging Young Artists to Watch’, The Australian Art Market Report