“In my practice I aim not only to captivate the viewer with a beautiful image, but also to educate or evoke nostalgia about an aspect of their cultural heritage”

Miles Noel (Born 1982) is an artist, painter, graphic designer, illustrator and photographer from Perth, Western Australia. He grew up in a giant sprawling garden created by his botanist father, and has since been instilled with a wonderment of nature. His practice explores his interests in heritage, architecture, ruins, portraiture, the beach, miniature worlds (terrariums), taxidermy, sustainability, education, science and technology. A formal training in design frames his graphic, colourful view of the world, and informs a multidisciplinary approach combining traditional mediums (painting, print making and sculpture) with digital (photography, 3D models, animation and time-lapse).

Miles recently returned from living in Montréal, Canada where he discovered Expo 67, one of the most successful world’s fairs. Expo’s theme ‘Man and his world’ encompassed a marvellous showcase of cutting-edge, utopian modernist architecture. Miles was inspired to create a pictorial world where Expo’s bold structures are enveloped by nature, harmoniously coexisting with idealised plants and animals. These ‘fantasy ruins’ are a comforting vision in a world where humans have somewhat decimated their natural world, and are only recently realising the importance of a healthy, sustainable existence.

Miles’ vigorous approach to his art practice has seen him hold five solo exhibitions, teach painting and participate in numerous local and international artist residences. His work is stocked by Montréal design boutique DOMO, which specialises in 20th century Canadian design and architecture.

Portrait by Cat and Muse Photography

Curriculum Vitae

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2015 Galerie Espace, Montréal, Canada ‘Expo Gardens’ Sculpture and painting

2013 State Theatre Centre, Geraldton Museum, Kalgoorlie Miners Hall of Fame and Albany Museum, WA ‘SCI-POP Portraits, WA Scientists in paint’ Screen print paintings and time-lapse stop-motion videos

2013 Melody Smith Gallery Project Space, WA ‘Fragile States’ Portrait painting

2012 Bivouac Canteen, WA ‘Earthly Delights’ Portrait painting

2011 Rechabites Hall during the Northbridge Outskirts Festival, WA ‘The 10 Hours Project’ Portrait painting and video

2007 Heathcote Gallery, WA ‘Vistas De Sentimientos’ Painting and photography

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2011 Portrait exhibited ‘Artrinsic’s Cafe Walk’ exhibition, in association with the Black Swan Portrait prize

2009 Illustration exhibited ‘Love is my Velocity Cookbook’

2009 Illustration exhibited  ‘Clothespeg Project, Volume Two’

MURALS

2014 WAAW centre for art and design, Senegal ‘Mame Coumba Bang, River Goddess’ mural

2012 Beaufort St Festival, WA ‘Highgate Dry Cleaners’ group mural

2012 Angove St Festival, WA ‘Woodthorpe butchers’ mural

RESIDENCIES

2014-15 Eight month residency at The Long Haul/Corrid’art Studios in Montréal, Canada

2014-15 Six week residency at WAAW centre for art and design in St Louis, Senegal

2005 Artist in residence, St John Wollaston High School, WA

2005 Artist in residence, Sacred Heart College, WA

AWARDS/GRANTS

2013 National Science Week grant for ‘SCI-POP Portraits, WA Scientists in Paint’ exhibition

2013 Finalist in Black Swan Heritage Painting Prize, WA

2007 Winner People’s Choice award at ‘Arte Latino’ exhibition, WA

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

2009-10 Painting teacher at Fremantle Arts Centre, WA

2007-13 Graphic designer and photographer, Scitech Discovery Centre, WA

2006 Graphic designer, Community Newspaper Group, WA

2004-05 Graphic designer, Xpress Magazine, WA

2003 Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) degree at Curtin University, WA