The Practice of Encounter Painting
Nick Miller is an Irish contemporary artist who has become known for reinvigorating the traditional genres of portraiture, landscape, and still-life. His approach to working directly from life has been described as a form of encounter painting, where the artwork serves as the remains of a lived and painted encounter. This intense method is central to his practice, influencing how he engages with his subjects across all genres.
In 1997, Miller converted a mobile British Telecom workshop into a mobile studio, which allowed him to work on large-scale paintings and drawings within the landscape while remaining protected from the elements. This 15-year period of productivity explored the interface between the artist, culture, and nature, particularly through his "Truckscapes" series. These works often included the doorway of the truck, covered in splattered paint, as a way to define the meeting between the artist and the reality of the "truck-view."
Evolution of Genre and Subject Matter
Miller's work spans several significant thematic series and collections. His portraiture includes unconventional drawings made at close quarters, such as the CLOSER series, and notable paintings of figures like John McGahern and Barrie Cooke. In 2014, he received the inaugural Hennessy Portrait Prize for his painting Last sitting: Portrait of Barrie Cooke.
His exploration of still-life has evolved through several stages:
His work is held in various collections, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the Hugh Lane Gallery, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
