ARTIST STATEMENT
Shantel Miller’s figurative paintings represent lived and imagined experiences that often situate the body in moments of vulnerability and introspection. As part of her creative process, she positions the body symbolically to suggest relationships of tension and intimacy, often depicted within interior spaces of isolated moments of realism, alternating perspectives, and high-contrast color relationships. Working in this way, Miller negotiates notions of a public and private self and explores intersections of race, gender, and religion with particular emphasis on ideas relevant to spirituality and existentialism in ordinary depictions of Black life.
BIO
In 2021, Shantel graduated from Boston University with an MFA in Painting and received the Dedalus Foundation Fellowship in Sculpture and Painting, the Ester B. Khan Award, and the Elizabeth Greenshields Award. Her artwork has been acquired by private collections around the world and she has participated in numerous group shows, residencies, and art fairs in North America including The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, The Varley Art Gallery of Markham, the Nia Center for the Arts Artist-in-Residence Program, the Converging Liberations Residency at Mass MoCA, NADA Miami and Future Fair in NYC. Shantel is the recent recipient of the 2022 Artadia Award and the Ujima Boston Project’s 2022-2024 Artist Fellowship. She currently lives and works in Markham, ON.
Shantel is represented by Anderson Yezerski Gallery in Boston, MA.
Photo taken by Rosa Cabán.
CV
EDUCATION
2019-2021 | MFA, Painting, Boston University
2009-2013 | BFA, Drawing & Painting, Ontario College of Art and Design (OCADU)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 | I’ve Been Trying To Reach You, Anderson Yezerski Gallery, Boston, MA
2023 | A Legacy Unfolding, The Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Markham, ON
2021 | homeplace, Commonwealth Gallery, Boston, MA
2016 | The Side Profile Series, Xpace Cultural Centre, Toronto, ON
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023-2024 | Dancing In The Light, Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, Toronto, ON
2023 | A Suitable Accomplishment, Trotter & Sholer Gallery, New York, NY 2022
- We Interrupt This Program, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston, MA
- Destabilization: The Color of Our Skin, Hamilton Artists Inc, Hamilton, ON
- In My Skin, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK
- Pathways-Resilient Voices, Art Souterrain Festival, Montreal, QC
2021 | Cake Show, The Pit, Palm Springs, LA
- New Talent, Alpha Gallery, Boston, MA
- Straight Lick-Black Art Sessions, Manhattan, NY
- IYKYK, Pianocraft Gallery, Boston, MA
- MFA Painting Thesis Exhibition, Stone Gallery, Boston, MA
- Cuttyhunk Small Works Show - Kilburn Mill, New Bedford, MA
2020 | As the snail takes the shape of its shell, the plumb, Toronto, ON
- FOOD NATURE, Rad Hourani Gallery, Montreal, QB
- MFA Graduate Exhibit, Commonwealth Gallery, Boston, MA
2019 | Xpace Annual Fundraiser, Xpace Cultural Centre, Toronto, ON
- Miller Thompson Artist Showcase, Miller Thompson, Toronto, ON
- From The Ground Up – Nia Centre for the Arts, Toronto, ON
2018 | Cuttyhunk Island Artist Residency Exhibition, The Avalon, Cuttyhunk Island, MA
- Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, Sandbox Studios, Toronto, ON
- BIGonBLOOR Festival, Toronto, ON
- Xpace Cultural Centre Annual Fundraiser
2017 | Living Mosaic, Riverdale Art Gallery, Toronto, ON
- Skin Glowing in the Moonlight, Latitude 53, Edmonton, AB
2016 | Margins of Eras 2016, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
- Pixelation, Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, ON
- BIGonBLOOR, Toronto, ON
- Pixelation, OCAD University, Toronto, ON
2013 | OCAD University 98th Annual Graduate Exhibition, OCADU, Toronto, ON
ART FAIRS
2022 | Future Fair NY, Chelsea, NY
2020 | AREA Code Art Fair, Virtual
2018 | NADA Art Fair, Half Gallery, Miami, FL
- Art Aqua Miami, Uncommon Beauty Gallery, Miami, FL
ARTIST TALKS
2023 | Virtual Artist Talk, Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Markham, ON
2022 | Virtual Artist Talk, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK
2019 | The Dis/Appearing Black Body, Art Gallery of Ontario
2017 | Race, Politics, and Art: An Evening with The Artists, Latitude 53
2016 | The Side Profile Series: A Conversation with The Artist, Xpace Cultural Centre
RESIDENCIES
2021 | Converging Liberations Residency, MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA
2018 | Nia Centre for the Arts - Artists in Residence Program, Toronto, ON
- CuttyHunk Island Artist Residency, Elizabeth Island, MA
PUBLICATIONS
2023 | Fortunately, Magazine, 00 Issue
2022 | Chatelaine Magazine, September Issue
- The Black Scholar, Boston University
- The Studio Image Project, Friends of the Artists
2021 | Boston University MFA Thesis Catalog
2020 | Face Value, House and Home Magazine
2018 | Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series,
- Toronto Life
- Edmonton Journal
2017 | Skin Glowing in the Moonlight, Latitude 53
- VUE Magazine
- Status Quo
2016 | Xpace Cultural Centre 2016 Exhibitions Catalog
- Status Quo
- It’s Still Privileged Art, Exhibition Catalog at 401 Richmond
2013 | OCAD University 98th Annual Graduate Exhibition Catalog
AWARDS, GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
2022 | Boston Artadia Award
- Boston Opportunity Fund 5.0 Award
2021 | The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation
- Esther B. and Albert S. Kahn Career Entry Fund
- Dedalus Fellowship MFA Painting and Sculpture Award
2016 | CUE Project Grant
- UTSC Annual Juried Show, Deserres Prize for Drawing & Painting – 1st
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2023 | Artist Interview, CBC Radio, The Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Markham, ON
- Visiting Lecturer, OCAD University, Toronto, ON
- Virtual Artist Talk, Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL
- Artist Interview, Opus Art Supplies
2021 | Visual Arts Consultant, Nia Center for the Arts, Toronto, ON
- Artist Talk, Boston University, School of Theater, Boston, MA
2019-2020 | Administrative Assistant, School of Visual Arts, Boston University, Boston, MA
2017 | Juror, The Drawing Show, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, ON
- Artist Assistant, Sandra Brewster, UofT Art Museum, Toronto, ON
2016 | Artist Assistant, Jérôme Havre, Art Gallery of Ontario, Artist-in-Residence, Toronto, ON