Happiness & The End of the World | Matt Miller
Betty and Howard Taylor Main Gallery
An exhibition of new works by Akron artist Matt Miller seeks to balance the positives and negatives inherent in human experience. Paintings and multimedia works explore themes of life, death, love, loss, and growth. The vibrant pop and psychedelic aesthetic in Miller’s work is grounded by his fascination for nature, mythology, and folklore.
This exhibition is about the potential for growth after hardship and tragedy. Personally, it’s about my journey to find and become my best self after divorce. This experience led me inward to face and accept all the positive and negative aspects of my life.
At times, the journey was clear, crisp, and at others expressive and loose, even verging into the abstract, as I navigated the storm of emotions brought on by significant change in my life. Traversing the expanse between naivety to recognition and eventually to acceptance, I have found a sense of peace as I grow and thrive, finding the power of self and the ability to open myself to the next chapter of this story.
These themes and explorations are not just my personal story, however. They are the story of a community rebuilding after the collapse of industry and a world struggling to recover from a global pandemic, divisive politics, the opiate epidemic, the rise of artificial intelligence, and endless war.
Will we learn from our mistakes and grow? Will we utilize the tools we’ve learned along the way? Are we doomed to repeat these same patterns?
Through my own hardships and changes, I’m learning (always) how to accept these difficulties and to find happiness in my everyday life.
In spite of it all, life is beautiful.
Welcome to Happiness & the End of the World
Enter to win this artwork!
01001100011011110111011001100101
Raffle tickets start at $10; $1,200 value
Mixed media on canvas
Raffle tickets start at $10 for 10 entries.
Receive more chances to win the higher your ticket purchase. Don’t miss out!
Merchandise
Available in gallery only
$15 Grin Reaper enamel lapel pin
$12 Mandala enamel lapel pin
$12 Eye of Providence embroidered iron-on patch
$25 Grin Reaper T-Shirt Printed at Cleveland Print Co.
$40 Grin Reaper print, Printed with archival inks
on hot press paper by Monochrome Canvas
$25 Blunt Wizard T-Shirt, Created for local band Flock of Moons
Matt Miller and Summit Artspace staff sporting Grin Reaper T-Shirts.
Special thanks to Bradley Hart, Summit Artspace resident artist, for photography of virtual exhibitions!
Did you know?
Most of the artwork on display at Summit Artspace is for sale.
Click on the artwork images for pricing and more information about each piece.
If you would like to purchase any art, please visit a staff member or volunteer at the front desk, or email natalie@summitartspace.org.
15- Dust to Dust; Meditation for Prosperity; Meditation for Growth; Holy, Holy, Holy; Mom’s Coming ‘round to Put it Back the Way it Ought to Be; Meditation | NFS
16- Shine On | NFS
18- The Portal (Animated) | NFS
19- A Company Man | NFS
Matt Miller is a multi-disciplinary artist from Akron, Ohio creating vibrant pop art inspired by his passion for mythology, comic books and vintage rock n’ roll poster art. After earning his BFA in Painting and Drawing from the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art at The University of Akron, Matt became the apprentice and studio assistant to sculptor and craftsman Don Drumm. Matt has built a name for himself with his gallery exhibitions, album art, his line of art merchandise and most significantly with his dynamic large-scale murals spread from corner to corner of Akron and afar. He has worked alongside several local businesses and organizations across the greater Akron area including The Akron Art Museum, Summit Metro Parks, The University of Akron, Great Streets Akron, Hazel Tree Interiors, Art Bomb Brigade, Bounce Innovation Hub and countless others.
1- Grin Reaper | $250 Framed; $150 Unframed (Limited edition of 15)
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper
24” x 24”
2- Asteria | $275
Mixed media on canvas
9” x 12”
3- Hell Below Stars Above | $275
Mixed media on canvas
9” x 12”
4- Just Looking for Love | $150
Mixed media on paper
6” x 9”
5- All About Boof | $150
Mixed media on paper
6” x 9”
6- Parts Work | $150
Mixed media on paper
6” x 9”
7- We Linger When We Leave | $450
Mixed media on paper
12” x 18”
8- My Friend; Death | $250
Mixed media on paper
10” x 15”
9- The Eagle and the Snake | $300
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
11” x 17”
10- Rise of the Sentinels | $300
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
11” x 17”
11- Cloudy | $900
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
24” x 24”
12- Fitter Happier | $900
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
24” x 24”
13- Water Bearer | $900
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
24” x 24”
14- Flowers for Frank | $250 Framed; $150 Unframed (Limited edition of 15)
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper
24” x 24”
15- Dust to Dust; Meditation for Prosperity; Meditation for Growth; Holy, Holy, Holy; Mom’s Coming ‘round to Put it Back the Way it Ought to Be; Meditation | NFS
Digital animations
16- Shine On | NFS
Digital animation
17- Making the Most of It | $1,200
Mixed media on canvas with LED lights
16” x 20”
18- The Portal (Animated) | NFS
Digital animation
19- A Company Man | NFS
Digital animation
20- God’s Green Hand | $4,200
Mixed media on canvas
48” x 36”
21- Pink Clouds | $420
Mixed media on canvas
12” x 16”
22- Balance | $300
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
12” x 16”
23- Wisdom | $450
Digital painting printed with archival inks on hot press paper; One of a kind
16” x 20”
24- Houseplanted | $650
Mixed media on canvas
18” x 14”
25- Grounded | $720
Mixed media on canvas
24” x 12”
26- Oh What a Mess We’ve Made of Things | $1,200
Mixed media on canvas
16” x 20”
27- Into the Imaginal | $1,200
Mixed media on canvas
20” x 16”
28- The Portal | $2,200
Mixed media on canvas
28” x 22”
29- The Alchemist | $4,200
Mixed media on canvas
36” x 48”
30- In the Garden | $10,000
Mixed media on canvas
156” x 48”
This mural was created with Akron Public School junior high students as part of the 2023 Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Influencer Camp. The goal of the camp is to shift the narrative of what an “influencer” can be, so that it is more community focused. Students had the opportunity to learn about historical figures in Akron and then meet contemporary influencers, like artists and small business owners. The floral motif is inspired by the gardens of Stan Hywet, as investing in a new generation is analogous to planting and tending a garden. The owl represents passing on wisdom and knowledge.
31- 01001100011011110111011001100101
Raffle tickets start at $10; $1,200 value
Click here to get your tickets!
Mixed media on canvas
18” x 14”
32- When All We Knew Was Fire | $800
Mixed media on canvas
18” x 14”
33- Salvaged | $3,500
Mixed media on reclaimed canvas
36” x 48”
34- Kintsugi // Gratitude | $325
Mixed media on canvas
12” x 16”
35- This Party Is a Riot | $6,000
Acrylic paint on wood doors
144” x 80” x 3” (37” deep with legs), freestanding
Created on site at the Akron Art Museum with students of all ages, this mural accompanied the Keith Haring Against All Odds exhibition, which was on view April 15 – September 24, 2023. The piece is reflective of Keith Haring as a figure who was an advocate for social change through positivity and togetherness. This vision of coming together over divisiveness towards change is aligned with Miller’s personal motivation behind his own artwork, especially his public pieces.
36- Gaia | $200
Mixed media on paper
12” x 10”
37-Fine Young Cannibal | $175
Mixed media on paper
12” x 10”
38- Don’t Hate the Players | $250
Mixed media on paper
9” x 6”
39- Water Mage in Acid Planes II | $175
Mixed media on paper
12” x 10”
40- Storm Preparation | $75
Mixed media on paper
4” x 6”
41- Shangri La | $200
Mixed media on paper
12” x 10”
42- Lazarus Party | $200
Mixed media on paper
12” x 10”
43- Fertilizer | $200
Mixed media on paper
7” x 5”
44- Fire Shaman | $250
Mixed media on paper
6” x 9”
45- It Gets Us All | $75
Mixed media on paper
4” x 6”
46- Shishigami | $175
Mixed media on paper
10” x 12”
47- Alta | $200
Mixed media on paper
10” x 12”
48- Water Mage in Acid Planes I | $175
Mixed media on paper
12” x 10”
49- Eugene was a Torchbearer | $250
Mixed media on paper
6” x 9”
50- Sprouted | $75
Mixed media on canvas
5” x 7”
See the Summit Artspace exhibit schedule for show details.
Have questions? Here is our Frequently Asked Questions page.
