Biography
Shantel Miller is Jamaican-Canadian visual artist (born in Toronto, ON). She received an MFA in Painting at Boston University and a BFA in Drawing and Painting from the Ontario College of Art and Design. In 2021, she received the Dedalus Foundation MFA Fellowship in Painting and Sculpture, the Elizabeth Greenshield Award, the Esther B. and Albert S. Kahn Career Entry Fund and is currently the Ujima Boston Project Artist Fellow for 2022-2024.
Artist Statement
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 uses body language symbolically to suggest relationships of tension and intimacy, often depicting interior spaces with 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 ideas relevant to spirituality and existentialism in ordinary depictions of Black life.
Photo taken by Rosa Cabán.
CV
EDUCATION
2019-21 MFA Painting, Boston University
2009-13 BFA, Drawing & Painting, Ontario College of Art and Design (OCADU)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 Homeplace, Commonwealth Gallery, Boston, MA
2016 The Side Profile Series, Xpace Cultural Centre, Toronto, ON
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
We Interrupt This Program, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston, MA
Destabilization: The Color or Our Skin, Hamilton Artists Inc. Hamilton, ON
In My Skin, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK
Art Souterrain, Montreal, QB
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
MFA Graduate Exhibit, Commonwealth Gallery, Boston, MA
AREA CODE Art Fair, Online Art Exhibition
2019
Xpace Annual Fundraiser, Xpace Cultural Centre, 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 Festival, Toronto, ON
Pixelation, OCAD University, Toronto, ON
ART FAIRS
2022 Future Art Fair, Chelsea, NY
2018 NADA Art Fair, Half Gallery, Miami, FL
Art Aqua Miami, Uncommon Beauty Gallery, Miami, FL
ARTIST TALKS
2022 In My Skin, Dunlop Art Gallery, Interview with Alyssa Fearon
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 Residency Program, Toronto, ON
CuttyHunk Island Artist Residency, Elizabeth Island, MA
PUBLICATIONS
2022 The Studio Image Project, Friends of the Artists
Chatelaine Magazine, September Issue
The Black Scholar, Black Religion in the Digital Age, Volume 52 Issue 3
Hamilton Artists Inc, A Reflection on Destabilization: The Colour of our Skin
2021 BU Today, Gaugain had Tahiti, Shantel Miller has Dorchester
Boston University MFA Thesis Catalog
Minerva, A Women of Burgundy Publication
CBC Arts Online, Huda Hassan
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
2016 Xpace Cultural Centre 2016 Exhibitions Catalogue
It’s Still Privileged Art, Exhibition Catalogue at 401 Richmond
2013 OCAD University 98th Annual Graduate Exhibition Catalogue
AWARDS, GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
2022 Boston Opportunity Fund
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