Award-winning Papamoa based artist Alex Miln has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious The Miles Art Awards
2022 for his piece, ‘Bel Air’, a metaphor for the ‘American Dream’.
This biennial event and exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery is an opportunity for artists in the Bay of Plenty to submit
their most accomplished artworks for this premier art award.
Alex is renowned for his complex and provocative 3D sculptural art pieces, many of which take over 1,000 hours to
complete, and all of which combine a clever play on form, function and medium with a dash of satire, ensuring they
capture one’s attention while being truly unique. Each art piece that Alex creates is made from plywood and aluminium,
which he then paints using up to 13 layers of paint to create the illusion of an aged patina.
'Bel Air' by Alex Miln
Alex explains, “Americana popular culture (and the prevailing myths that come with it) have leaked into New Zealand. We are told about
the many benefits, but are we being told the full story? ‘Bel Air’ is an investigation into the myth and is an
uncovering of substance and evidence - a hunt for the full story. Oftentimes an inconvenient truth that we want to
ignore. I want to shine a light where others prefer shade.”
Topics that feature heavily in all of Alex’s works, which he classifies as ‘Signtology’ include politics, religion, and
his take on Americana. From mocking Donald Trump’s shady dealings with Russia and his affair with adult actress Stormy
Daniels, to the detriments of big corporations and religious zealousness, to the global financial crisis and Covid,
nothing’s off limits. Common subjects depicted within his retro-inspired works include American diners and motels (all
with exotic names in the unlikeliest places), automobile references (in their faded, rusty glory) and churches (the most
conservative of domains).
Alex doesn’t mind ruffling a few feathers and it would seem he actively encourages it. Alex said, “Good art should spark a reaction. If the artist is doing his job properly, people will either love it or hate it. If
people are neither here nor there, and they’re not talking about it, then the work must be mediocre.”
The award event will be held at Tauranga Art Gallery (108 Willow Street, Tauranga, 3141) on Thursday, 3 February 2022 at
5:30pm. The award winners will be determined by a sole judge with assistance from a Tauranga Art Gallery representative.
The finalists' work will be shown in a curated exhibition (4 February – 15 May 2022), with up to 40 works chosen to form
the exhibition.NotesTo download a selection of images visit:Dropbox
To view a selection of Alex’s other works, check out the images in the Dropbox link above or visit www.alexmiln.com. To purchase one of Alex’s artworks, contact Dylan Potocki at Potocki Paterson Art Gallery in Wellington: 022-694-3009.Follow Alex on social media:
Instagram: alexmiln_art
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexmilnartist/Artist BioRecent Art Awards
2021 - Finalist in the Molly Morepth Canaday Art Award
2018 - Finalist in the Wallace Art Awards
2017 - Finalist in the Molly Morepeth Canaday Art Award
2017 - Finalist in the Wallace Art Awards
2016 - Double Finalist in the National Contemporary Art Awards
2016 - Supreme winner of the Miles Art Award
2015 - Finalist in the Wallace Art AwardsPublic Collections
“Genuine Miles”, Tauranga Art Gallery
“Sermon of Razor Wire”, Wallace Arts Trust
“Second Amendment”, Wallace Arts TrustSolo & Group Exhibitions
2020 - “Supa Cuba Dupa” Group Exhibition, Potocki Paterson Gallery, Wellington
2019 – No Vital Signs, Wellingon Exhibition, New Zealand Academy of Fine
1983 – Charlie Gray’s Last and First CaféEducation:
1972-1975 Northland College, Kaikohe, Northland
1976-1977 Auckland Society of Arts, Fine Arts Preliminary - Alistair Nesbitt-Smith and John Perry