Surrealist Lee Miller

Once again shining a light on a ground-breaking woman artist, Heide will present a major survey of the compelling work of American-born photographer Lee Miller. A surrealist before she even knew of the movement, Lee Miller was one of the most original photographic artists of the twentieth century. Defying the expectations placed on her as a woman and an artist, she was as unconventional in her life as in her work and captured the intensity of her experiences in unforgettable images.

The exhibition has been curated by Miller’s son, Antony Penrose, and includes 100 photographs from across the artist’s remarkable career. Surrealist Lee Miller spans her early portrait, fashion and art photography in Paris and New York in the 1920s and 30s, landscape and architecture, her coverage of the horrors of the Second World War, and her extraordinary creative circle—which included Man Ray, Picasso, Max Ernst, Dora Maar and many others. It reveals Miller’s innate surrealist eye and deep involvement in the world around her.

Described by her close friend and LIFE photographer, David E. Scherman, as ‘caustically brilliant, yet totally loyal, unpretentious, human and intolerant of sham’, Miller was married to artist, art historian, poet and collector Roland Penrose. They settled at Farley Farm in Sussex, where much like John and Sunday Reed at Heide, the couple played host to a wide circle of artists and writers. It is fitting that Miller’s work will be on display at Heide, where the parallels with the lives of the Reeds and the artists they nurtured are so evident.

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August

Sydney: The photographs in Max Dupain: Student Life were taken at the University of Sydney in the early 1950s, a period of rapid change marked by the politics of the Cold War.

September

Canberra: This collection-in-focus display highlights William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003.

Melbourne: The William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize 2024 features more than 70 images including digital and analogue photography, large-scale installations and daguerreotypes.

October

Brisbane: Mikaela spent time looking through Graham’s archive of negatives, though it was his social documentary images that she constantly returned to, especially as there were so many compelling photographs that had never been printed.

Brisbane: Until 13 July 2025. Amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954) extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered only recently. This exhibition is curated by seven Brisbane photographers.

November

Sydney: Chrissie Hall specialises in advertising, fashion, portraiture and social documentary. Join Chrissie for her 2nd book launch and exhibition at Lunar Studios in Alexandria on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Sydney: 23–25 November. Three Edge Studio is very proud to present 21 outstanding emerging and experienced Australian photographers at the M2 Gallery in Surry Hills.

Perth: Until 18 May 2025. Henry Roy – Impossible Island draws on 40-years of recollections and observations as it brings together 113 photos taken from 1983 to 2023.

Brisbane: The Photo Fair #2 is a community event to sell, swap, and showcase photographic works on November 30 and December 1, 2024. 10am - 4pm