Published by MAS Context, this essay by Marin R. Sullivan, curator of the Edgar Miller: Anti-Modern, 1917–1967 exhibition at DePaul Art Museum, explores the multifaceted career of Chicago-based artist Edgar Miller. Active from 1917 to the late 1960s, Miller was renowned for his extraordinary creative versatility, working across various mediums including drawing, painting, sculpture, stained glass, tile work, and textiles. He also designed interiors, collaborated with architects, and repurposed buildings into unique "handmade homes."
Miller’s work reflected a synthesis of avant-garde innovation and formal training from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). He engaged with diverse communities, ideologies, and disciplines, embodying a blend of bohemian artistry and alignment with Chicago’s cultural elite. The essay highlights his prolific output, resourcefulness, and imaginative approach, which garnered recognition from critics and clients alike for its unique integration of craft, function, and aesthetic.