Five Questions for Paige Miller, Sculptor and Installation Artist, July 24, 2015
The Other Germantown is back after a brief hiatus to begin work on a new project entitled “Racism Is A Sickness.” Learn more about it by going to the Racism Is A Sickness blog.
I caught up with sculptor and installation artist Paige Miller at an artist talk she gave recently at the iMPeRFeCT Gallery, and invited her to participate in Five Questions on The Other Germantown. Her ReD RooM installation, “Sanctum,” was fresh, exciting and a little bit frustrating, considering that it’s the bathroom. Anyway, here she is!
TOG: Thanks for agreeing to participate in Five Questions. I really connected with your installation, “Sanctum,” at iMPeRFeCT Gallery. Who is Paige Miller?
PM: Paige Miller is a Philadelphia-based sculptor who graduated from The University of the Arts in 2014 with a BFA in Sculpture. Currently, she is a studio assistant for artists Jeanne Jaffe, John N. Phillips, and Gina Michaels. Miller’s work is mainly site-specific installations that transform the pre-existing space. She fabricates immersive environments with architecutral materials familiar to the public. The spaces created force the experiencer to be conscious of their spatial perception and one’s movement through space.
TOG: Who or what inspired the idea behind “Sanctum?”
PM: When I was asked to do an installation in the ReD RooM, a.k.a. the bathroom, I immediately thought it would be funny if I walled everything off except the toilet and sink holes, and a path to get to them. As I continued to think more into the idea, other ideas and connections surfaced such as the color and title. In the beginning there was a rough idea of what is was going to look like, but the major design choices were decided during construction in the actual space. By the end, everything had come together to be a serious and successful piece with a dash of dry humor.
TOG: Who are what has been your greatest or most powerful influence on your work? And why?
PM: My work ethic, motivation, and determination is in respect for my late mother. The greatest influence of my work is Jeanne Jaffe. Jeanne has not only been my professor and employer, but she has also been my mentor. She has seen me grow personally and professionally and has given me the most valuable insights on life and art.
TOG: Other than the work that is on display at iMPeRFeCT, how else are you connected to Germantown?
PM: I am a studio assistant for John N. Phillips and his wife Gina Michaels. John is a Germantown native and they both currently live and work here. Through them I have met many great people involved with Germantown, for instance the owners of iMPeRFeCT, Rocio Cabello and Renny Molenaar.
TOG: What’s next for you and where can we find you online?
PM: I am working on ideas for another installation that will be in the main room of iMPeRFeCT. The dates have not been determined, but stay tuned! My goal is to have at least one exhibition a year, and after a few years return to school for my M.F.A. I am currently working on creating a portfolio and website, but I can be contacted via e-mail at paigemiller326 (at) gmail (dot) com. Please feel free to reach out for any collaboration interests or to be on my mailing list to be notified for new work, future shows, and a running website.
TOG: Thank you Paige, and The Other Germantown wishes you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
Please note that iMPeRFeCT Gallery is closed to the public for the rest of the summer and will reopen in September with the 4th (!!!) annual Germantown group show. Check out the website via this link.
The next Five Questions will feature Jennifer Low, Germantown native, pastry chef, decorator and owner of The Frosted Fox Cake Shop. Stay tuned!!
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