Tate Britain is set to unveil a landmark exhibition this summer, dedicated to the extraordinary life and work of American photographer Lee Miller. This comprehensive retrospective, 'Lee Miller', promises to be a revelation, charting her incredible journey from a celebrated Vogue model to a pioneering surrealist artist and, ultimately, a fearless frontline war correspondent.
The show brings together over 150 rare photographs, personal artefacts, and original magazines, offering an intimate look at one of the 20th century's most multifaceted artists. For the first time, her iconic war reports, published in British Vogue, will be displayed alongside the harrowing and powerful photographs she took during the liberation of Europe.
An Unconventional and Groundbreaking Career
Miller's life reads like a novel. Initially discovered by Condé Nast, she became one of New York's most sought-after fashion models before abruptly moving to Paris in 1929. There, she became the apprentice, collaborator, and muse of the renowned surrealist artist Man Ray. She was instrumental in developing the solarisation technique, creating dreamlike and innovative images that cemented her place in the art world.
Her career took another dramatic turn with the outbreak of World War II. Living in London, she became one of the only female war correspondents officially accredited to the U.S. forces. She documented the Blitz, the liberation of Paris, and the chilling horrors of the Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps, often sending her reports directly to British Vogue.
What Visitors Can Expect
The exhibition is organised chronologically, guiding visitors through the distinct chapters of her life:
- Early Modeling Career: Portraits from her time in front of the camera.
- Parisian Surrealist Years: Collaborative works with Man Ray and her own groundbreaking experiments.
- Egyptian Interlude: Stunning landscapes and portraits from her time living in Cairo.
- Wartime Documentation: Her most powerful and sobering work, including the immediate aftermath of the war.
- Post-War Life: Featuring portraits of artists and friends like Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky.
A particularly poignant exhibit is the issue of British Vogue published in the immediate aftermath of VE Day, for which she famously wrote: "Hitler is dead and I am alive and having a wonderful time."
The 'Lee Miller' exhibition runs at Tate Britain from 6 June to 6 October 2024. Tickets are available now, with a special offer granting a free Tate Collective ticket for 16-25-year-olds with every standard adult ticket purchased.
