BLOOD GENERATION – STUART MILLER

Stuart Miller is an accomplished portrait photographer who is capable of evoking a clear message with his techniques. His recent collection, Blood Generation, which is showing at Black Eye Gallery focuses on the generation that grew up through Bouganville’s ‘Coconut Revolution’.

The ‘Coconut Revolution’ was the successful uprising of the Indigenous peoples of Bougainville Island against the mining plans of corporation Rio Tinto Zinc to exploit their natural resources.

“Before I went up there, everything that I had seen was just so black and white,” Miller says.

“It was all imagery of sad children and postwar conflict.”

Yet, his own experience of Bouganvillians was very different, “there was something about them, they had their own style which they created for themselves. It blew my mind.”

It was this reality that inspired Miller to combine his proven corporate style and love of fashion, to create something unique.

“I think they’re some of the most beautiful portraits I’ve ever taken. The people have no kind of preconception of what they should look like. They’re not looking at magazines or television, so when I pull a camera up in front of their face, they’re not trying to put on what they’re supposed to look like. They’re really honest portraits.”

Miller continues, “They really do have this coolness. Honestly it’s like a coolness where they can create something from nothing. I really enjoyed that.” (LC)

Until Aug 11, Black Eye Gallery, 138 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, Free, (02) 8084 7541, blackeyegallery.com.au

BY LUKE COX