A COMPLETE WORK OF ART | the story of Edgar Miller
Excerpts of Part I: Edgar Miller
From Idaho's open spaces, Edgar Miller's dream took shape in Chicago, culminating in the breathtaking Glasner Studio. Within its walls, personal journeys intertwine with a woman's fight for change, leaving hidden stories scattered through its handcrafted details. Edgar's artistic ascent in Chicago was as unexpected as it was revolutionary, his visionary creations leaving an indelible mark on the city's landscape. The Glasner Studio became a haven for civil rights activists, a vibrant hub for artists of all kinds, and a silent witness to a unique and compelling history. But the passage of time threatened to obscure his legacy. Edgar Miller was almost lost to time, that is, until chance rediscoveries pulled his work from obscurity, bringing his extraordinary story and the stories of Glasner Studio back into the light.
Edgar Miller - the artist who created the house and a multitude of beautiful artist studios throughout Chicago
Lucy Montgomery - a civil rights activist who housed members of the Black Panther Party in the Glasner Studio
Karen Flowers - a glass artist who took root in Chicago just in time to take care of Edgar as his final caregiver and become one of the last people he mentored.
Artist Residency
Edgar Miller Legacy
This book was created during my residency for Edgar Miller Legacy. With their access to the Edgar Miller Archive, I was able to do all necessary research for the book!
Check out their Virtual Tour to see the studio that inspired the book:
Edgar’s Work & Historical Archive
Getting access to the countless pieces of Edgar Miller work from the EML archive was the only way to comprehensively research the pictures and style for the book. I also ended up buying some of the last copies of Edgar’s books on Ebay which have been invaluable for inspiring the book’s style. throughout the book, Jeff Kruse guided the research - sending period-specific news articles, letters, and other interesting pieces.
Here are just a few of the things I used to get visual inspiration.
Sketches & Context
Here’s how the book started. My style evolved as I grew more familiar with Edgar’s work.
