queerplaces - Harry Tatlock Miller

Queer Places:
8 Chester St, Belgravia, London SW1X, UK
The Redfern Gallery, 20 Cork St, Mayfair, London W1S 3HL, UK

Harry Tatlock Miller (September 1, 1913 – December 31, 1989) was born and educated in Geelong, graduating from the Geelong Grammar School. As an eighteen-year-old he opened the Book Nook Bookshop in 1931 with stock from Elsie Belle Champion's Melbourne Booklovers' Library. He ran the bookshop from various locations in Geelong for four years, founding and publishing the significant literary and arts magazine, Manuscripts. With the magazine and the bookshop, Miller actively participated in the avant garde movements growing in Geelong and Melbourne. In 1935, the magazine was hosted by Margareta Webber from her Melbourne bookshop, but it ceased production soon after. In the same year Miller closed the Book Nook Bookshop and moved to Melbourne.

In 1939, Miller travelled to England to present an exhibition of paintings at the West End's Redfern Gallery by his partner, artist and set designer, Loudon Sainthill. Returning to Sydney, he stayed with Sainthill and other creative artists such as Donald Friend, Jocelyn Rickards and Alec Murray, at the bohemian boarding-house 'Merioola' at Edgecliff. In post-war Sydney, 'Merioola' was probably the most exciting place to live. Justin O'Brien has said, 'I've never laughed so much, not at people but with people. Merioola was always full of visitors; both local and overseas artists would call in [and] the mix of creative people at Merioola often led to interdisciplinary activities. The dancers would pose for [Arthur] Fleischmann or Alec Murray. The artists would make sets for theatrical activities. And Harry [Tatlock Miller] and Loudon [Sainthill] and Alec [Murray] would combine their talents as editor, designer and photographer for Ballet Rambert and Old Vic programs.'

During this period, Miller worked as a journalist and art critic. He also collaborated with Sainthill on several books about the Australian tours of theatre and dance companies such as the Ballet Rambert and the Old Vic Theatre. These titles include The Old Vic Theatre Company : A Tour of Australia and New Zealand (1948). By the late 1940s, many of the 'Merioola' residents, including Miller, had departed for London. Miller was embraced by the artistic community of the West End, becoming director (1949-1982) and, later, chairman (1965-1982) of the Redfern Gallery. He was instrumental in gaining international exposure for artists such as Sidney Nolan and Russell Drysdale. Miller and Sainthill produced several more books on subjects such as the Royal family and Winston Churchill. Miller retired from the Redfern Gallery in 1982. He died in Salisbury seven years later.

The Redfern Gallery was founded in September 1923 on the top floor of Redfern House at 27 Old Bond Street, London W1, as a small artists' cooperative. The founders were two wealthy individuals Arthur Knyvett-Lee and Anthony Maxtone Graham. A young New Zealander, Rex Nan Kivell, joined the gallery in 1925 and, in 1931, took control of the company. Other partners at this time included Lord Alington (who was killed during the war), Mrs Ala von Heisenau-Story (Director of the Santa Barbara Art Gallery, California) and The Earl Amherst, MC.

For many years Erica Brausen (later of Hanover Gallery), Peter Cochrane (later of Arthur Tooth & Sons) and Richard Smart were associated with the gallery.

Sir Rex de C Nan Kivell (as he then became) was joined by Harry Tatlock Miller in 1939, Dorothy Searle in 1942 and John Synge in the late 1950s.

In 1936 the gallery moved around the corner to larger premises at 20 Cork Street - just opposite the Burlington Arcade and behind the Royal Academy of Arts. The house which comprises 19/20 Cork Street was built in the early 18th Century. At that time it was the town house of John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich, and Redfern's main galleries are purportedly where the Earl used to play cards when he was in London. Due to its historical importance No 19/20 Cork Street is a listed building and Redfern is one of the few galleries in London to benefit from skylights.

Today the Redfern represents over 20 contemporary artists and artist's estates. It also has an extensive stock of modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, watercolours, sculpture and original prints.

The present Managing Directors are Richard Gault and Richard Selby. Other Directors include Maggie Thornton, The Lady Tanlaw and Peter Toynton. Lord Tanlaw is the Chairman of the Gallery.