Harland Miller's "XXX" Exhibition Brings Bold Letter Paintings to York Art Gallery

If you love bold colours, striking typography, and a dash of Yorkshire charm, then Harland Miller’s latest exhibition at York Art Gallery is one you won’t want to miss. The internationally acclaimed artist and writer is bringing a brand-new collection of his celebrated Letter Paintings to his hometown in an exhibition titled "XXX", running from 14 March to 31 August 2025.

A Homecoming for Harland Miller

Born in York, Miller has made a name for himself with his distinctive, literary-inspired artwork. His work blends graphic design with a love of words, creating visually arresting pieces that play with meaning, typography, and nostalgia.

This exhibition is particularly special because it's a return to York after his 2020 exhibition, York, So Good They Named It Once, was cut short due to the pandemic. Reflecting on the moment, Miller jokes:

"It’s great to be coming back to York again with this new show… This show is entitled ‘XXX’ but it doesn’t flout any indecency laws so it should stay open longer than the last one!"

This time, visitors will get to experience an entirely fresh collection of work—never seen together before—making it an unmissable event for art lovers.

What is "XXX" All About?

Coinciding with the launch of Miller’s new book "XXX", published by Phaidon, the exhibition focuses on his hard-edged Letter Paintings. If you’ve ever seen those beautiful illuminated letters in medieval manuscripts, you’ll get a sense of the inspiration behind these works.

Miller takes simple words and acronyms—like "ESP", "If", and "Star"—and transforms them into bold, overlapping compositions bursting with colour. Each piece has a title bar at the bottom, mimicking book cover designs, and a sense of playful mystery. Some standout works in the exhibition include:

• "XXX" – The exhibition’s namesake piece, showing his signature vibrant style.
• "Boss" – A powerful, graphic interpretation of the word.
• "Far Out" – Miller’s first-ever hard-edged diptych, adding a new twist to his style.

Miller’s process is just as fascinating as the final product. He starts with graph paper sketches, mapping out the layers and forms before transferring them to large-scale paintings. These sketches will also be on display, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how he constructs his pieces.

Art Beyond the Gallery

One of the most exciting features of this exhibition is that it’s not just confined to the gallery walls. Outside, the York Art Gallery gardens will come to life with a floral interpretation of "Far Out", using flowering plants to recreate the colours and forms of Miller’s work. Planned to bloom from late June through summer, this installation ensures the exhibition reaches beyond the traditional art space.

A Must-See Event

Dr Beatrice Bertram, Senior Curator at York Art Gallery, is thrilled about the exhibition, saying:

"Harland’s distinctive, impactful paintings are instantly recognisable… His clever use of language and colour encourages us to encounter everyday words afresh."

In addition to the exhibition, visitors can take part in a Q&A with Harland Miller, as well as community activities designed to make the show engaging for all ages.

Plan Your Visit

• 📍 Where? York Art Gallery
• 📅 When? 14 March – 31 August 2025
• ⏰ Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
• 🎟️ More Info & Tickets: www.yorkartgallery.org.uk

This exhibition is a major moment for York, Yorkshire, and the UK art scene, bringing together Harland Miller’s past, present, and future in one vibrant showcase. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering his work, "XXX" is sure to leave a lasting impression.