Ralph R. Miller SrRalph R. Miller Sr

Presented by Presented by

Jennifer ColonnaJennifer Colonna

Who is Ralph R. Miller, SrWho is Ralph R. Miller, Sr

1905- 19841905- 1984

►

•Born Deaf in Jonsboro, IIlinois on May 20, 1905

•His parents were hearing

•At age 5 he was enrolled at the Illonois School for the Deaf .It was here that he developed his artistic talent

•He knew that he wanted to be an artist but he was told there was no future in being an artist so he also learned carpentry• •A football couch at his school recognized his talent and advised hi to go to Chicago to continue with it

•Miller took art classes at the American Academy of Art in Chicago• He specialized in commercial art- ex: for advertising

•Started to freelance and did work for the YMCA

► Early 60’s he was asked to illustrate for Early 60’s he was asked to illustrate for Signed English Books at Gallaudet- later Signed English Books at Gallaudet- later he worked as an advisor in the Art he worked as an advisor in the Art Department thereDepartment there

► Drew characters for children’s books like Drew characters for children’s books like “The Three Little Pigs” and Goldilocks and “The Three Little Pigs” and Goldilocks and the Three Bears”the Three Bears”

► All of his characters, human or animal All of his characters, human or animal were drawn to look like they were signingwere drawn to look like they were signing

De’VIA- Deaf View Image ArtDe’VIA- Deaf View Image Art► Miller’s daughter, another renowned Deaf Artist is Betty MillerMiller’s daughter, another renowned Deaf Artist is Betty Miller

► She contributed to the De’Via movementShe contributed to the De’Via movement► Miller’s Work “Pre De’ Via”Miller’s Work “Pre De’ Via”

Deaf American Monatologue (1996):Deaf American Monatologue (1996): “ “We must remember that all art is based on the experience of the We must remember that all art is based on the experience of the artist. In the case of deaf artists, their cultural and physical artist. In the case of deaf artists, their cultural and physical experiences as deaf people inform and influence all of their work. experiences as deaf people inform and influence all of their work. De’VIA is created to tell his or her story or to express his or her De’VIA is created to tell his or her story or to express his or her feelings”feelings”

Other pieces by MillerOther pieces by Miller

► ““An Interpreter” An Interpreter” 19791979

► ““Deaf Picnic”Deaf Picnic”

My interpretationMy interpretation

► Cop Cop Is shouting Is shouting Pulling on the Clown’s EarPulling on the Clown’s Ear malemale

► ClownClown With a grin onWith a grin on malemale

► Car Car w/ Deaf written all over itw/ Deaf written all over it

► Clear day (blue background)Clear day (blue background)► Open spaceOpen space► Lots of colorsLots of colors

Theme: Social Experience – Deaf Theme: Social Experience – Deaf person’s encounter with hearing person’s encounter with hearing

authority authority ► Title: “Clown Title: “Clown

Stopped by Police Stopped by Police for Speedingfor Speeding

► By Ralph R. Miller, By Ralph R. Miller, SrSr

► 19701970► Genre: Acrylic Genre: Acrylic

painting, 20’’ X 16’’painting, 20’’ X 16’’Sub Themes: “Deaf Card”, Deaf drive, Cop doesn’t see the clown as serious and the clown doesn’t take the cop seriously

Synopsis of : Miller’s “Clown Synopsis of : Miller’s “Clown stopped by Police for Speeding”stopped by Police for Speeding”

PLOTPLOT► Deaf clown (character 1) Deaf clown (character 1)

stopped by cop (character 2)stopped by cop (character 2)► Clown is playing the “deaf –Clown is playing the “deaf –

card” in hope of avoiding a card” in hope of avoiding a ticketticket

► The officer is naïve that he is The officer is naïve that he is Deaf even though it’s written all Deaf even though it’s written all over the clown and his car and over the clown and his car and barks in his earbarks in his ear

IconographyIconographyMiller enjoyed painting about Miller enjoyed painting about his humorous deaf experienceshis humorous deaf experiences

The Clown symbolizes the The Clown symbolizes the humor in his situation of getting humor in his situation of getting pulled over…which is usually a pulled over…which is usually a serious matter making the serious matter making the TONE amusingTONE amusing

Irony of the PlotIrony of the Plot

► What’s ironic here is What’s ironic here is that the person that the person being pulled over is being pulled over is a clown. Cops don’t a clown. Cops don’t regularly expect to regularly expect to come across come across speeding clowns. speeding clowns.

Literary Analysis: Literary Analysis: StructuralismStructuralism

► This genre exemplifies opposition that exists the This genre exemplifies opposition that exists the between the two people - hearing and deaf or as a between the two people - hearing and deaf or as a cop and clown. Cops are looked at as being serious cop and clown. Cops are looked at as being serious and one that holds authority while a clown is funny and one that holds authority while a clown is funny and not taken seriously. Maybe that’s why the cop and not taken seriously. Maybe that’s why the cop doesn’t accept that he is Deaf.doesn’t accept that he is Deaf.

Cop vs ClownCop vs ClownHearing vs DeafHearing vs Deaf

Dark uniform vs Bright costumeDark uniform vs Bright costumeSerious vs FunnySerious vs Funny

Conventional vs CarefreeConventional vs Carefree

Literary Interpretation/Critism: Literary Interpretation/Critism: DeconstructionDeconstruction

►Trying to match the painting with real Trying to match the painting with real life is visible in this genre.life is visible in this genre.

►There are two human beings but one is There are two human beings but one is not recognized for being deaf (clown) not recognized for being deaf (clown) and the Cop an authority – regarded in and the Cop an authority – regarded in a higher status in comparison to a a higher status in comparison to a clown/deaf person.clown/deaf person.

►This genre exemplifies the struggle This genre exemplifies the struggle between the hearing and deaf.between the hearing and deaf.