KAMLOOPS ARTS COUNCIL
Art in the Park
Re-Imagined
Caroline Miller
Caroline Miller Design
About Caroline:
My name is Caroline Miller. I have had magpie tendencies for as long as I can remember. My draw to bright, metallic objects has led me into the world of jewellery, small object design and sculpture. As well as studying jewellery in Montevideo, Uruguay and coppersmithing in Mexico, I have received a three year Diploma in Jewellery and Small Object Design from the Kootenay School of the Arts and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts majoring in Sculpture from Emily Carr University. I am inspired by the fast paced drama of city scenes and conversely, quiet moments in nature. Balanced with these flights of fancy are the permanence of geometries, physics and the techniques of a practised silversmith. My choice of materials incorporates the precious with the semi precious; gold, silver and gemstones are often combined with found objects, concrete or plastics. Many of my pieces have a narrative, where others are simply aesthetic and perhaps more simply classical in style. I would say, in one sense my work is a microscopic study of the world we live in. In another, it is simply part of the world we live in. I reside in Squamish BC, where I work out of a studio with a view of the Chief and the misty Howe Sound.
A Conversation with the Artist:
Name: Caroline Miller
Medium: Jewellery and Small Object Design
How long have you been doing your art: 20 years
What got you originally interested in the art you do: I have always been interested in fashion, design and building objects with my hands. Jewellery Design and silversmithing are the perfect outlets to unite these interests and enable me to make a living at what I love to do.
What is something you have learned about yourself through your art: I learn something new every time I sit down at the bench; patience, humility, non-attachment and always keeping myself open to learning new skills and techniques that will advance my craft.
What do you enjoy the most about your art: What I love most about my art is getting lost in the meditative world of technical design and conceptual imagination. Hours slip by unnoticed.
What is your favorite joke/quote: “It’s pretty much my favorite animal. It’s like a lion and a tiger mixed… bred for its skills in magic.” – Napoleon Dynamite
If you don’t know the majesty and pride of the rare and fearsome liger, now you know.
If you could teach everyone one art medium or method, what would it be, why: If I could teach one silversmithing technique, I would teach raising, which consists of raising a flat sheet of metal into a hollow three-dimensional form. This is a very satisfying technique, the physicality and the ability to manipulate metal through hammering along specific planes and lines to achieve a sculptural form.
What do you think makes art important: Art is how we visually document culture; artists are visual narrators of time, they are activists, anarchists, historians, documenters of beauty and record keepers of society. At one time the artists had an important role in society, they lived next to kings and queens. That perception has shifted overtime, although I think it is important to rethink an artist’s place now more than ever. Humans need to be reminded by seeing evidence of the hand through limited production and one of a kind pieces that cannot ever really be replicated. After all, who is going to entertain all those essential service workers when they need to unwind, relax and be reminded of the beauty of humans and our world?
What is something most people don’t know about you: My favourite stuffed toys are two sock monkeys called Bub and Bubbina.
Why are you a member of the Kamloops Arts Council: I enjoy being part of an active arts community such as Kamloops arts community. The residents are appreciative and supportive of the arts and the council is always a great artist resource for opportunities and links to events.
What are you looking forward to the most in this upcoming year (A special show or project you’re working on): This upcoming year I am looking forward to promoting my new website and taking the opportunity to embrace this virtual era we are in by replacing some of my physical shows with online events, like exhibitions and sales.