The Life and Legacy of
Shereen Miller
Shereen Miller, 2011
Shereen Miller lived a truly remarkable life that spanned four continents, shaping her global perspective and artistic vision. Throughout her career, she broke barriers, becoming not only the First Female Foreign to exhibit her work in both National and International museums and galleries, but also a pioneering force in the field of Anamorphic Art.
In the 1970s, Shereen Miller revived anamorphic art—a 17th-century optical illusion art form that had long been forgotten—and reintroduced it to the 20th-century art world. At a time when very few were exploring this genre, Shereen was its only active exponent. Her bold vision and innovative spirit brought this classical art form into modernity, earning her acclaim as a trailblazer. Through her exhibitions, Shereen’s works not only mesmerized audiences but also redefined how art could be perceived and experienced.
LIFE ON FOUR CONtiNENTS
Kuwait 1967 – 1980
Shereen Miller’s journey as a pioneering artist began with her first solo exhibitions in the late 1960s in Kuwait, marking a significant milestone in her career. Shereen was he First Foreign Female artist to exhibit in major galleries and museums in Kuwait, an achievement that underscored her role as a trailblazer in the local art scene. Her early works from this period reflected a deep connection to both her home country, India and the landscapes of Kuwait, blending the influences of two vastly different cultures.
It was during her time in Kuwait that Shereen began to explore Anamorphic Art, marking a transformative phase in her artistic evolution. Experimenting with optical illusions and distorted perspectives, she pushed the boundaries of traditional painting and sculpture. This period of experimentation laid the foundation for the groundbreaking anamorphic techniques that would later define her artistic identity.
After 13 years of living in Kuwait, Shereen Miller had significantly advanced her Anamorphic Art and painting skills, further honing her craft while studying under the renowned Parisian painter Alex Berdal at Atelier 461. Berdal’s mentorship and studying at the Louvre Museum in Paris provided Shereen with a deeper understanding of both traditional and modern art techniques, allowing her to refine her approach to optical illusion and perspective manipulation.
Her years in Kuwait had been a time of intense creativity and exploration, and her work had already begun to make wavies in the local and regional art scenes. But her artistic journey was about to take another unexpected turn. In 1980, after Paul, her husband, received a promotion with the oil company, they relocated to Lagos, Nigeria.
LIFE ON FOUR CONtiNENTS
Nigeria 1980 – 1983
This move to Nigeria brought new challenges and opportunities. Lago, a bustling, vibrant city, exposed Shereen to an entirely different cultural and environment landscape.
While in Lagos, Nigeria, Shereen Miller continued to evolve her anamorphic skills, becoming a significant figure in the West African art scene. Once again, Shereen broke barriers as the First Foreign Female artist to exhibit in both Lagos and Benin’s National Museums, a feat that garnered her widespread acclaim and solidified her reputation as a trailblazer.
During her time in Nigeria, Shereen created an Anamorphic Portrait of the country’s President. The President of Nigeria himself attended Shereen’s exhibition, an event that highlighted the significance of her contribution to Nigerian art world.
Shereen’s exhibitions attracted the attention of prominent figures in neighboring Benin. During her exhibition in Benin, the Oba [King] and Queen of Benin visited both the exhibition and Shereen and Paul’s home in Lagos, a testament to her growing influence in West Africa. The royal visit was not just a personal honor but also a significant cultural moment, illustrating the broad appeal of her work across different regions and social circles.
During U.S Vice President George H.W Bush’s visit to Lagos, Shereen Miller was commissioned to create a commemorative portrait, a significant honor that reflected her growing reputation in the international art community. The portrait was presented to Barbra Bush, the wife of the Vice President, during their visit to Nigeria.
LIFE ON FOUR CONtiNENTS
England 1983 – 1988
In 1983, Shereen and Paul Miller moved to London when Paul received a new assignment at the oil company’s headquarters. Although this was their official relocation to the city, London had been a frequent destination for the Millers over the years.
Shereen was selected worldwide by the United Nations to create a painting commemorating the 1986 International Year of Peace. This was a remarkable honor.
Shereen Miller’s 1986 Anamorphic painting, titled “On the Wings of Peace”, marked a pivotal moment in her career and the resurgence of Anamorphic Art on the global stage. Created to commemorate the United Nation’s International Year of Peace, the painting embodied Shereen’s mastery of optical illusion, symbolism and her deep understanding of global unity. “On the Wings of Peace” became a defining piece that not only broke new records but also demonstrated the power of Anamorphic Art to communicate profound messages of peace and harmony.
Following the success of this work, Shereen achieved another historic milestone by becoming the first living artist to exhibit at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. This was a monumental achievement, as St. Paul’s in one of the most prestigious and iconic landmarks in the world, know for its deep cultural and spiritual significance.
Shereen Miller’s Anamorphic painting, “On the Wings of Peace”, not only broke records in London but continued to make history when it was exhibited in 1988 at the National Gallery of Modern Art [NGMA] in Delhi, India. The exhibition marked another groundbreaking achievement for Shereen, as she became the first living artist in the gallery’s 22-year history to be honored with such a prestigious exhibition.
Before leaving London in 1987, Shereen Miller completed one final significant work: an anamorphic painting of Queen Elizabeth II.
Using her trademark anamorphic technique, the portrait appears distorted when viewed head-on but would resolve into a clear, dignified likeness of the Queen when seen from the mirrored cylinder.
As er last major work before relocating to America, the painting only only showcased her artistic skills but added to Shereen’s legacy of creating art that challenged viewers to the world from new perspectives, both literally and metaphorically, and was another testament to her ability to capture the spirit of her subjects in unique ways.
LIFE ON FOUR CONtiNENTS
America 1988 – 2021
After arriving in Dallas, America, Shereen was quickly engaged in another prestigious project: creating a commemorative portrait for U.S President Ronald Reagan, who was leaving office after his two terms in the White House. Shereen, known for her ability to capture influential figures through her Anamorphic Art, took on the challenge of painting an anamorphic portrait of Nancy Reagan, the First Lady. Shereen Miller’s anamorphic portrait of Nancy Reagan is apart of the Reagan Presidential Library Collection.
From 1990 through 1994, Shereen Miller held an impressive 12 Exhibitions in Dallas, America, establishing herself as a major figure in the local and national art scene. Among these exhibitions, one of the most significant was her groundbreaking Retrospective Exhibition that featured 80 works of art. The exhibition was particularly notable as it was held to inaugurate the Irving Arts Center’s new multi-million-dollar facility.
The Retrospective Exhibition offered a comprehensive look at Shereen’s career, showcasing her extensive body of work, which included her signature Anamorphic Art, as well as her Paintings, Sculptures and Drawings. The exhibition highlighted Stern’s evolution as an artist, tracing her journey from her early works in Kuwait and Nigeria to her later achievements in London and he United States.
The event attracted several important figures from the art world, including Dr. Edmund P. Pillsbury, the Director of the the prestigious Kimbell Art Museum.
Shereen Miller created a commemorative anamorphic portrait of First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1989, as President Reagan was preparing to leave the White House after his two terms in office. The anamorphic painting is housed in the Reagan Presidential Library.
Poetic Inspirations
Shereen Miller had always written poetry but it was in the 2000s that she truly turned her focus toward poetry, creating a collection that combined her profound understanding of art, perception and the world around her. This new form of expression allowed Shereen to explore the emotional and philosophical dimensions of her work, extending her artistic journey into the realm of language and verse.
Shereen’s poetry, like her visual art, was an exploration of the human experience, blending introspective though with the universal themes. Drawing from her background in psychology, philosophy and metaphysics, Shereen’s poems reflected her belief in the interconnectedness of all things -art, nature, mind and spirit. Her work captured the complexity of perception, the fluidity of reality and the often elusive nature of truth.
During the same period, Shereen also began experimenting with pastels, producing abstract paintings that pushed the boundaries of her anamorphic art even further. Shereen’s abstract paintings were filled with dynamic energy, yet retained her distinctive sense of depth and optical play. These works brought anamorphic art to a new level.