Artist Statement and Bio
"In the symbol, the world itself is speaking." Keryeni
Archetypal images and motifs have existed since the beginning of time, and they evoke feelings and emotions that are universal to us all. All symbolic material derives from a level of experience which is common to all of humankind and is included in what Jung termed as the collective unconscious. Handed down from our ancestors, these motifs, myths and images are present in each of us, a part of the collective unconscious, and provide us with the opportunity to connect with the ancient wisdom of the ages.
Photography can serve as a tool to gain access to this material, just as we have used methods such as working with dreams and meditation to gain understanding and shed light on both the personal and the collective unconscious. The eye of the camera helps us “see” what is not always visible to the eye (or I.) Freezing the moment in time— or recreating the reality of that given moment might grant us the time needed to reflect and go beyond the conscious into the unconscious. So, in effect, this is a journey through our own psyche and deeper still into the collective unconscious.
BIO
Susan, a Ragdale Foundation Residency Recipient, has exhibited her photography at various galleries in Chicago and Indiana. Susan’s photographs have been included in videos projected at fundraising events at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, Trump Tower, Four Seasons Hotel, University Club and Union League Club. Her wall murals and installations currently appear in several social service lobbies. Her photos have appeared in the Sun Times, Advertising Age, New City, Time Out and Theater Beat.
Susan has traveled extensively throughout Africa, the Mideast, Asia, Europe, Antarctica and the Americas, gaining valuable insight and understanding into the history, culture and traditions of diverse groups of peoples.
Prior to her serving as Associate Director of Development and Communications at SGA, she served as Vice-President (COO) of Philips Credit Union overseeing 40 branch offices throughout the United States.
She has a passionate commitment to the arts and social justice issues and has served on various boards; Founding Board of the Women’s Bureau in Ft.Wayne, Community Harvest Food Bank, AIDS Task Force,YMCA Camp Board.
Susan McMillen
"...archetypes are a piece of life, an image connected with the living individual by the bridge of emotion." Dr. Carl Jung
The photographs shown on this site are part of an ongoing series, Sojourner. As I have explored remote corners of the world; celebrated and joined in ceremonies of the people I have met; shared profoundly moving experiences- in learning about and from others, I ultimately learned more about myself.
Travel has expanded my worldview, and deepened my respect and understanding of people from other cultures and traditions.
My style is to participate fully and interact extensively with the people I meet, often finding it difficult to leave the role of participant and move back to photographer/observer. I hope that my connection and interaction with the people I photograph, and the trust that develops will allow me to in some small measure to help promote understanding through the images I capture.
Almost without exception, I have been greeted with warmth, generosity and extraordinary hospitality. I have met people who live lives full of hardship, but an uncomplicated existence, a simple but profoundly meaningful life. Not minimizing their hardships, I have observed that often the people in the poorest of countries can live unhurried and spiritually rich lives.
Traveling to remote villages in the world, I felt a desire to record the lifestyles of indigenous peoples, those who may be marginalized or misrepresented and I attempt to help them tell their stories. I know that I may be of the last generation to witness the many rich customs and traditions practiced, particularly in rural regions around the globe. I have felt compelled to document and attempt to capture what I have experienced, expressing it through the language of photography.
Unconventional Travel:
I am passionate about traveling to explore, learn and experience other cultures in remote parts of the world. The accommodations and modes of travel have been rather unconventional, but have allowed me to attempt to get immersed in the cultures I have visited.
Some of the unconventional accommodations:
- Tent, overnight in Antarctica
- Three day River boat cruise on the Nile, Egypt
• Dogon rooftop under West African skies
• courtyard of a host family in the Peruvian Andes
• monastery in the sacred mountains of China
• shack on a chicken farm in India
• open air under African skies near a Himba village in Namibia
• sand dune in the Tunisian Sahara
- tent in the Andes near Yoclampampa
- village chief’s guest house in Mali
- maharaja palace in Mumbai
- A Bedouin tent in Negev Desert, Israel
• a stall in an adobe barn in Guinee Bissau
• a sailboat on a sea voyage from North Carolina to Tortola
• private homes of local villagers in various countries
• former coast guard station in Ireland
• cave/hostel in Cappadocia, Turkey
• various hostels, guest houses and home stays
Traveling using a variety of modes of transportation
- single engine aircraft in Namibia
- River boat cruise on the Nile, Egypt
- Antarctic Expedition ship
• hot air balloon over the Skeleton Coast dunes
- great trains of the world (such as the Ougadoogou Choo Choo, Marrakech Express, Blue Train, Cusco Express and the Dessert Express)
- Taxi ride through the Wadi Hadramat area, bordering the Empty Quarter desert in Yemen
• hair-raising bus rides through the mountains of various countries
- horseback rides through savannah, mountains and beaches
- Tall ship in the Grenadines
• camel on an overnight trip in the Tunisian Sahara
• pirogue river trip in Casamance, Senegal
• bush taxi through military check points in West Africa
• overcrowded ferry boat (that later sunk)
• tall ship in the Grenadines (that later capsized)
• mobilette ride through the city of Ougadougou, and a hair raising motorbike night ride in the rain through the streets of Hue, Viet Nam
- thrilling rides in louages and rogue taxis
- Crew on a 38’ sailboat on a sea voyage from North Carolina to Tortola
- Canoe ride through canals in Kerala, India
• back of a pickup truck in Honduras and Namibia
• rickshaws/Tuk Tuks in India and Africa
• Tuk Tuks in Cambodia and Viet Nam