SIERRA MILLER

This exhibition focuses on concepts of psychology, spirituality, taoism, and the collective shadow. Many of the pieces include the element of balance visually and conceptually of two different ideas. These ideas include yin and yang, the conscious and unconscious parts of the human condition, and nature and technology. This body of work was made in order to help people recognize when they are stuck in the thinking mind and not aware of the present moment. All of the ideas are associated with self-improvement to remind ourselves that we are in fact all perfect and whole as we are. It is only when we go unconscious when we feel less than, flawed, and imperfect. This balance is the only way one can find peace, joy, and fulfillment. 

The body of work contains various mixed media such as the use of glass, photography, acrylic paint, and spray paint on photography. The glass work titled, Shadow Energy, uses color mixed with black and white acrylic paint to create a transparent effect so that when light shines through the image on glass, the shadow cast onto the wall appears in only one shade.

The acrylic painting titled, Both Worlds, uses color on half of it and black and white on the other to demonstrate the contrast between the conscious and unconscious. Finding Yourself explores this same concept, but with paint applied to photography. In these pieces, black and white represent the unconscious, and the color is meant to represent awakened consciousness. The piece, Examination, was made by taking 3 different photos in photoshop and combining them to look through a magnifying glass at a silhouette with water in the background. The smaller photography pieces were taken in nature and modified in photoshop to notice movement and how humanity interacts with natural surroundings in order to find peace. 

If people learn to accept the shadow parts of themselves as equally as the good or light parts of themselves, it allows them to love themselves more and form better relationships. This discovery can open one’s eyes to the magic and mystery that life holds for all of us.