TALYA MILLER

T. is a Midwest-based community worker and artist interested in the plurality of existence. As a fat, queer, disabled, and transgender individual, Miller doesn’t shy away from the complexities of identity. With 15+ years of experience, their projects have been featured regionally and nationally. While varying in medium and method, there is a unifying narrative of creative connection throughout their work in both physical pieces and community spaces.

talya.elaine@gmail.com

@talya.elaine

STARYY-EYED & STILL TRYING
Black and white self-portrait of a trans nonbinary person’s face covered with star stickers. They have light hair, the whites of their eyes are showing, and they have a septum piercing. There are shimmery streamers on the wall behind them. The image has chemical burn marks that add to the ethereal nature.

Dis/Satisfaction Guaranteed explores familial dynamics and intrapersonal processing through staged photographs paired with intentional illustrations and design work. The use of playful but symbolic imagery encourages the examination of what it means to not fit in a world that demands normalcy. Each image, item, and illustration allows me to explore my own personal identities through the praxis of craft, both new and familiar.

BLACK SHEEP, GOLD STAR
Grainy, color image of a plastic, black sheep toy with a gold star on its chest standing in faux green grass. A vintage children’s book illustration of a sheep has been superimposed on the image; the illustration is in red.

SURRENDER SMILING
Full body, black and white self-portrait of a fat, tattooed, trans nonbinary person sitting cross-legged on the floor. Their hands are relaxed, palms up in their lap. They are wearing a white tank top and black underwear. The image has red scribbles over their face, with a white outline of a smiley face.

THE MAGICIAN
When the Magician appears you are hard at work turning your goals and dreams into reality. Your journey is well and truly underway. You’re actively learning and unlearning everything you need to make the trip ahead successful and smooth as possible.

THE HANGED MAN
When the Hanged Man appears, it’s time for us to take a breath and loosen our grip. This card invites radical acceptance into your day and helps you let go of the need to control the chaos around you. By shifting your perspective you are invited to view life in a new light.

  • Grainy, color image of a plastic, black sheep toy standing in faux green grass atop a wooden terrarium base. There is a red illustration of the Capricorn constellation placed as a frame around the sheep.

    GOLDEN FLEECED CAPRICORN
    Grainy, color image of a plastic, black sheep toy standing in faux green grass atop a wooden terrarium base. There is a red illustration of the Capricorn constellation placed as a frame around the sheep.

  • Close up of a clear, plastic clamshell container that is overflowing with red strawberries with greenery on the tops.

    SUMMER SHELF LIFE
    Close up of a clear, plastic clamshell container that is overflowing with red strawberries with greenery on the tops.

  • Very large, green, cement, Frankenstein bust sitting on a small foot stool with sparkly streamers in the background.

    CREATURE OF THE NIGHT
    Very large, green, cement, Frankenstein bust sitting on a small foot stool with sparkly streamers in the background.

  • Two hands are laying flat on top of a red, fuzzy pillow and a green rug. Their knuckles are tattooed with the word “ABUNDANT,” and their nails are painted metallic.

    MANIFESTATION
    Two hands are laying flat on top of a red, fuzzy pillow and a green rug. Their knuckles are tattooed with the word “ABUNDANT,” and their nails are painted metallic.

  • A red, plaid first aid box lies on a green rug, a giant plastic frog is sitting on top of the box. The frog has a gold star sticker on its nose.

    IT’S IN THE WATER
    A red, plaid first aid box lies on a green rug, a giant plastic frog is sitting on top of the box. The frog has a gold star sticker on its nose.

  • Top down view of a trans nonbinary person’s legs and feet, there is a clover tattoo on their right ankle. In the background there is a green rug, faux fur pelt, crocheted blanket, and a candle stick.

    THIS ONE IS FREE
    Top down view of a trans nonbinary person’s legs and feet, there is a clover tattoo on their right ankle. In the background there is a green rug, faux fur pelt, crocheted blanket, and a candle stick.

  • Glass jar filled with daisies, a red plaid first aid box, and a wood candle stick on a green background.

    PUSHING UP DAISIES
    Glass jar filled with daisies, a red plaid first aid box, and a wood candle stick on a green background.

COMING UP ROSES
Black and white self-portrait of a fat, trans nonbinary person. They are wearing a white tank top, have star stickers on their face, and their expression is neutral. There is a white bar over their eyes, with a red illustration of a rose on top. The image has chemical burn marks that create light spots on the picture.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS
This image features a black and white self-portrait of a fat, tattooed, trans nonbinary person sitting cross-legged on the floor. They are wearing large round glasses and a white tank top. There are shimmery streamers on the wall beside them and they are surrounded by props from the series including tall candles, a Frankenstein bust, first aid kit, a heart pillow
and daisies.