The series includes large sculptural three dimensional oil paintings built up with multiple layers applied with palette knives, the thick textured style replicates the architecture both in form and colour. When cities are viewed from a distance, the experience is glamourised. The frenetic reality on the streets made up of sharp edges, noise and movement are reduced to patterns and colours that blend harmoniously into the horizon. Similarly, when viewed at distance, Miller’s cityscapes depict a sense of calm and beauty, but when experienced close up, the surface becomes abstract, representing something much more chaotic.
‘View of St. Pauls From Centre Point’ 6 x 6 ft, oil on canvas
Built by Wimpey Construction from 1963 to 1966 for £5.5 million. On completion, the building remained vacant for many years leading to it being referred to as ‘London's Empty Skyscraper’. The owner, Harry Hyams, was challenged to allow tenants to rent single floors, but consistently refused. At the time, skyscrapers were rare in London, and Centre Point's prominence led to it becoming a rallying symbol for protesters.
The homeless charity was founded in 1969 as a shelter in Soho, named ‘Centrepoint’ in response to the building being seen as an "affront to the homeless" for being left empty. The original Dean Street hostel comprised of dormitories with two rows of six beds each accompanied with a locker. Food was provided at the hostel canteen and guests could wash their clothes at the onsite laundry. ‘Centrepoint’ now continues to support vulnerable people in getting a job, a safe home and ongoing support to aid independent living.
‘Tower Bridge From The Shard’ oil on canvas, 4 x 4 ft
Painted from The Shard, the view provides the perfect perspective of an ’S’ shaped river, framed with the strong vertical lines of Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge. The bridge was opened in June 1894 by the Prince of Wales, there was a huge party – with a royal procession through the streets and boats celebrating on the Thames. One can still feel that sense of celebration and proudness of a country responsible for developing such beautiful bridges and buildings.
‘Streets Paved With Gold’ oil on canvas, 6 x 6 ft.
Painted from the top floor of the Rothschilds headquarters looking down onto The Bank of England, known as ‘The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street’. The bank was established in 1694 by Royal Charter under King William and Queen Mary to raise money as a government loan to fund a war against France. The bank holds around 400,000 bars of gold, worth over £200 billion pounds. The thought of such wealth physically sat on shelves under one’s feet provided the inspiration for the painting ‘Streets Paved With Gold’. Thanks to the kind help and support from Rothschilds, Miller was able to paint the view from their top floor and for several days he worked in solitude to create one of the most iconic pictures in the series.
‘Blackfriars From The Shard’ oil on canvas, 6 x 6 ft
Inspired by studies created at The Shard looking towards the Houses of Parliament in the West then panning across to Blackfriars and following the river up to Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf in the East. The synoptic viewpoint from 47 floors up suggests a calm serene perspective void of traffic jams, motor cars and war zone sirens screeching through the metropolis.