Better Than Life (after Harland Miller) is a screen print of a photographic work by Miles Aldridge. The artwork is part of the series “after”, i.e. “after” a particular artist. (after) is a response by the renowned British photographer Miles Aldridge to works by the well-known contemporary artists Maurizio Cattelan, Harland Miller and Gilbert & George. This work is from the series ‘After Miller’ and shows Aldridge’s response to the work of artist and painter Harland Miller. Harland Miller applies his well-known Penguin Book cover paintings to his own pin-up scenes, creating a tandem of personalities that comment on the social psyche of growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. Art critic Michael Bracewell commented on Miles Aldridge as follows: ‘In his work, the tension of film noir merges with the vibrancy of pop and post-pop; what could be tableaux of scientific fictional eroticism mingle with a hyper-stylized depiction of native British vernacular; the imagery of a mid-twentieth century centrefold pin-up articulates icily anonymized desire’.

“After Harland Miller” is a photographic series by British photographer Miles Aldridge, created in collaboration with artist Harland Miller. The series is inspired by Miller’s famous book cover paintings, which often feature large-scale reproductions of vintage Penguin book covers with humorous and provocative titles.

Harland Miller is known for his paintings that imitate classic Penguin book covers, adding witty and often darkly humorous titles. Miles Aldridge, recognized for his highly stylized and vividly colored photography, takes inspiration from these works. Aldridge’s series translates Miller’s paintings into staged photographs, blending painting with photography.

The series maintains Aldridge’s signature style, characterized by bold colors, meticulous composition, and a sense of cinematic drama. Each photograph features a model posing with a large-scale replica of one of Miller’s book cover paintings, combining the human element with the graphic design of the covers.

The collaboration explores themes of literature, art, and pop culture, emphasizing the interplay between text and image. By reinterpreting Miller’s works in photographic form, Aldridge adds a layer of narrative and visual complexity, inviting viewers to think about the relationship between different artistic mediums.

The series has been exhibited in various galleries, often shown alongside Miller’s original paintings. It has been well-received for its innovative approach and the synergy between the two artists’ styles, highlighting how different forms of art can complement and enhance each other.