These self-portraits were taken during the national lockdown in the UK, in January 2021. While the lockdown had different impacts on artists, Miller found a way to keep her creativity flowing by working with self-portraits since she couldn't meet with people to photograph.
These images represent the isolation that we were all experiencing, anxiously waiting for life to resume. During this time, the telephone was the only "contact" with the outside world.
Furthermore, this series is a representation of our modern society's conflicting emotions and experiences. Despite the unprecedented levels of connectivity that we enjoy, many of us feel even more isolated and alone. The telephone represents the lost connection that has been transmitted into an object, rather than being a part of our real life.
At the same time, the self-portrait also serves as a call to action, encouraging viewers to reach out to others who may feel distant or disconnected. The artist creates a sense of distance and separation that is all too familiar in our modern world, offering a glimmer of hope and possibility.
The photo Contact (lost) won several awards, including People Photographer of the Year at the International Photography Awards 2021.
This self-portrait is a powerful exploration of the inner turmoils that must remain hidden from the public gaze to maintain a good social image.
In today's society, even more with social medias, there is often immense pressure to present a flawless image to the world, to hide our flaws and weaknesses and put on a facade of perfection. However, this self-portrait challenges that norm by embracing the messy, complex, and often painful aspects of our humanity. It reminds us that, even in our darkest moments, we are not alone and that there is power in vulnerability and authenticity.