CANDACE MILLER
SCULPTOR
ceramic, wood, assemblage
BORN
August 13, 1947 Eugene, OR
EDUCATION
1988 - present Colleges and studios in the Bay Area and Northern California 1997 - 2000 Robert Charland Studio, Sacramento, CA 1994 - 1996 Yoshio Taylor, Cosumnes River College, Sacramento, CA 1986 Bachelor of Science, Ornamental Horticulture, CSU, Chico
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2006 Hanson Howard Gallery, Ashland, OR (2-person show) Christensen Heller Gallery, Oakland, CA 2005 "Horribles", Alley Cuts, Sacramento, CA Dunsmuir Art Walk / Open Studios Tour 2004 "Love Objects", Pamela Skinner Gallery, Sacramento, CA (solo show) 2003 "Crossings", Old City Hall Gallery, Redding, CA (2-person show) 2002 Group Show, Hanson Howard Gallery, Ashland, OR 2001 "Invitational", 750 Gallery, Sacramento, CA "Holiday Show", Alley Cuts, Sacramento, CA 2000 "Homage Show", 750 Gallery, Sacramento, CA 1999 "Introductions", Blooming Art, Sacramento, CA (solo show) 1998 "Fun House", Big Art, Sacramento, CA (solo show) 1997 "Phobia Show", Phantom Galleries, Sacramento, Ca 1996 "Cirque du Fantasme", Forty Mile Ranch, Shingle Springs, CA (solo show) 1994 "Barbie on the Boulevard", Archival Framing, Sacramento, CA 1992 "Studio Tour Show", Matrix Gallery, Sacramento, CA
REVIEWS
- "Redding's Art Tour de Force", Redding Record-Searchlight, January 23, 2003
- "Funk House", Sacramento News & Review, May 14, 1998
WORK SELECTED FOR
- American Art Collector, Volume 2, Book 1 - Western States, Juried
- Competition of New Work, July 2005, Alcove Books, Berkeley, CA
ARTIST STATEMENT
My studio is a large, well-lighted space in the bottom floor of my house in Dunsmuir, CA. Kilns, art supplies, and found objects share space there with books, music, pets, and finished and unfinished work. I can see Castle Crags from the windows and hear the trains as they go up and down the canyon.
In the studio, I make things, daydream, sketch, and read. Usually I'm working on a number of pieces at once. It's good to put a piece aside for awhile, then come back to it later with fresh eyes. That way I can see it more clearly and have a better chance of not missing any opportunities.
All my work has a face. Human or animal, I want the face to convey character and personality: the humor, strength, endurance, and vulnerability life requires. Sometimes I make a face first and then construct the body to complete the figure. Other times a found object or piece of wood will inspire a vision of what a figure should be.
To make the figures, I sculpt the head, face, and other body parts of clay. I apply slip and stains, and fire the pieces in a kiln. I take found wood, either natural like driftwood or recycled like chair legs, and shape them with hand tools. I search through my stockpile of metal things to see what fits, and then assemble the parts to fulfill the vision. My goal is to create a piece where each part is essential to the organic whole.
I like to use found objects because they offer an opportunity to see things in a new way, and you never know when an unexpected treasure will turn up!
I want to make beauty and meaning from the randomness of life and hope my figures will spark recognition and a dialog with the viewer.