Steve Millar has been involved with art and music since the mid-1980’s. Resident DJ at Eddie Richard's influential club night Outer Limits throughout the burgeoning house music scene, in later years changing tempo to become resident ambient DJ for London’s Universe and Megatripolis. Throughout the 1990’s he used his knowledge of the dance music industry as an agent, representing many renowned artists such as Richie Hawtin, Derrick May, Jeff Mills and many more. In 1999 Steve was introduced to artist Howard J. Morgan, member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and shortly thereafter began working as the artist’s assistant. He became very actively involved at the studio in the ensuing years, learning much about the techniques and methodology of the creative process and modelling for many of Morgan’s paintings. It was during this period Steve became inspired and felt compelled to push himself in a new direction, quietly experimenting with painting, filmmaking and digital art. In 2003 Steve enrolled on a media technology course at Thames Valley University where he learned a lot of useful and varied skills and created many highly praised multimedia projects. However, he ultimately became frustrated with the limitations and changed to a more intense and specialised film production course. During this time he produced, directed and edited a number of short film projects, receiving excellent grades and commendations and consequently earning a reputation from fellow students and tutors for work of the highest standard. Since leaving university Steve has continued to build on his enthusiasm for painting, photography, filmmaking and digital art, becoming a true multimedia artist. Since June 2005 he has been very active in the virtual world Second Life (known there as the avatar Arahan Claveau) experimenting with the medium and creating a wide variety of artistic projects, ranging from photography and machinima, to large scale interactive installations. Arahan has become known for uncompromising, transgressive art and has received many accolades in the online community, associated press and from respected art critics. Documentary filmmakers Rob Marchant and Nic Stacey, intrigued by Steve’s work in Second Life, negotiated with him to produce a short film about his real and virtual life as an artist. The series was commissioned by Channel 4 Television as part of the 3-Minute Wonders strand and broadcast in August 2006. Steve continues to develop his credentials, working in Second Life, hosting many online radio shows, and having his art, machinima and photography showcased at exhibitions, cinemas and galleries in diverse locations including Australia, Germany and Holland. In April 2010 Steve completed production on a trilogy of short films about the South London live music venue JAZZLIVE, featuring interviews and performances by Charlotte Glasson Band, Mutha Luvaz and Tony Kofi. |