For decades, Chicago-based Sandro Miller has been one of the go-to photographers when expressive images are sought. As one example of such, the Cuban government invited Sandro to photograph Cuba’s Olympic athletes, which was the first authorized collaboration between the U.S. and Cuba since 1960’s trade embargo. In turn, Sandro has received honors as diverse as a Saatchi & Saatchi Best New Director Award – for his short video Butterflies, as featuring John Malkovich – and the Lucie Foundation’s International Photographer Of The Year Award for two years in a row. He has 10 published books to his credit, sits on the board of directors of the Museum Of Contemporary Photography, and is a member of the Chicago Arts Club.
Sandro’s latest exhibit, the acclaimed Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage To Photographic Masters, comes to New York with a May 12 opening at the Yancey Richardson Gallery. Running through Jul. 1, the exhibit was previously shown at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery and Chicago’s Catherine Edelman Gallery; select images were also displayed internationally at Poland’s Cameriage Film Festival. This exhibit – which features John Malkovich as the subject in 41 iconic portraits – is far from Sandro’s introduction to working with Mr. Malkovich, as the two have known each other for almost two decades. For those looking to bring home the exhibit’s contents to their coffee table, such was released in book form on Apr. 5 as The Malkovich Sessions.
The story behind this exhibit was uncovered via Q&A with Sandro, who was incredibly interesting, knowledgeable, and pleasant. His responses about selfies and amateur photographers were especially refreshing, as was his “last words.” For more on Sandro Miller, click on over here or follow him on Twitter via @Sandrofilm.
How did you first meet John Malkovich?
Sandro Miller: I met John in the late 1990’s while working on a project for the Steppenwolf Theater. John was an Ensemble member and they needed some portraits of him. John entered my studio and we had a brilliant session together, both with mutual respect for each other. Now it has been about 20 years of friendship.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about John?
S: Yes, I do believe there are many misconceptions. John often plays a hardcore villain or someone that is a bit off his rocker. However, in reality, John is one of the kindest human beings I have ever met. He is generous, caring and quite loving of a man. When it comes down to doing the work, he is a complete professional. He is a genius without a huge ego. John comes in as this beautiful, clean canvas and allows me to work out my ideas and concept with him. He has never said “no” to an idea I have had. He feels that he has been chosen to fulfill a director’s or a photographer’s vision, and he is nothing more than the clay of a great sculptor.
How would you describe this exhibit to someone who plans on attending?
S: This exhibition is the result of a vision I had while going through Stage 4 cancer. Morphine being the prominent drug of choice for the pain, what I was going through allowed my mind to dream, wander and fantasize. With death knocking at my door, I began to think of a way I could say thank you to all the influential photographers in my life, the ones who captured the most iconic images that would always leave my legs weak when I saw it. You will see in this exhibition some of the most iconic, powerful portraits ever taken. You will examine prints that are so close in detail that many times you will not be able to decipher the original from the recreation. 18 months of research and 40 years of my experience as a photographer brings to life the history of iconic portraiture. All the work was done painstakingly in camera “old school,” as I like to refer to it.
How did the opportunity to do the exhibit at Yancey Richardson Gallery come about?
S: I have always been a huge fan of the Yancey Richardson Gallery. She has a tremendous eye, a great space to exhibit and it just seemed like a great fit. There are only a couple of galleries in New York that I felt appropriate for this show, and Yancey was on top. I made my appointment to show her the work and I could tell Yancey understood what the works were about. It wasn’t about John Malkovich; it was about my vision to recreate and say “thank you” to these masters that influenced my career and the way I think of portraiture.
I also could see that Yancey understood what went into creating these images: the long hours of research and the meticulous care for detail in every image. I think she really understood that I — at some point — wanted to be each of these photographers in the moment they were taking that great iconic image. I wanted to relive those moments with Marilyn [Monroe], or [Andy] Warhol, or John Lennon, or Alfred Hitchcock, or [Ernest] Hemingway and the migrant mother, with their moments with these great photographers’ visions.
Aside from this exhibit, do you have any other upcoming exhibits? Or a book?
S: Earlier this month, I published a book called The Malkovich Sessions, which highlights my 20-year artistic collaboration with John. The book covers the full series of 41 images of John that recreated the iconic works of photographers whose works have inspired and influenced me.
Also, I currently have several books in production. In July of this year, we will release a dance book that I have been working on for nearly 25 years, titled, Dance For Life. Then, in March of next year, a 25th anniversary extended version of my classic, American Bikers, will be released as a book with 142 portraits of bikers. Then finally, in the fall of 2017, we will release my book, Eyes Of Morocco, which will contain 240 portraits taken in the country of Morocco. All my books are published with Glitterati Incorporated in New York.
What was the first major exhibit you ever had in New York?
S: [The upcoming event at] Yancey Richardson is my first major solo exhibition in New York City.
How do assignments and exhibit opportunities usually come to you? Do you have a manager? Do you ever have to seek people out?
S: Commercial assignments are brought to me through my commercial print and motion rep, Candace Gelman & Associates, and most of my exhibits for my artwork are organized the my Chicago gallery, the Catherine Edelman Gallery. We also work with freelance exhibition curators that book our exhibitions all over the world.
Was there a particular photographer that inspired you to pursue photography as a career?
S: Irving Penn has always played a major influence in my career; he was my mentor. Richard Avedon has also played a major part, along with August Sanders and Mondino.
Who are some of the people you are still hoping to shoot one day?
S: I would love to do portraits of Bob Dylan, Yoko Ono, Sean Penn and William Defoe. I would love to do a project on world leaders, such as Lucian Freud, Anish Kippur, Marina Abramovic, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons and Ai Weiwei.
These days, when you see everyone taking photos with their phone, does that bother you?
S: No, not at all. At least they are not out there doing crack and killing people.
When did you first become aware of selfies?
S: The wonderful primitive artist, Lee Godie, a homeless Chicagoan artist, was doing self-portraits in the 70’s and 80’s. Cindy Sherman, influenced by Godie, began taking her own selfies. Robert Mappelthorpe also could claim to be one of the pioneers of the selfie. I love all three of these artists.
For someone considering a career in photography, what do you feel is the first step they should take?
S: Run, Forrest, Run! Get into a great art school. Learn the history of photography, and then learn everything contemporary about photography. Intern for a great photographer and hopefully work with him or her for many years. After that, hopefully you will come out with the knowledge needed to succeed in this very difficult field.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
S: Golfing, watching Formula One racing and, of course, spending time with my beautiful, loving family.
Finally, Sandro, any last words for the kids?
S: Don’t ever give up on your passion, working hard and having dreams. Dream without fear! Believe in yourself. Study the masters, classics and contemporaries, but mostly believe in yourself. Do something in your field every single day of your life. “Obedience in the same direction for a lifetime will create greatness.” Love, respect and care about your fellow man.
