Millee Tibbs’ work derives from her interest in photography’s ubiquity and the tension between its truth-value and inherent manipulation of reality. Tibbs is Professor of Photography at Wayne State University, Detroit. She holds an MFA in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design. She is the recipient of two MacDowell Colony fellowships, as well as multiple national and international artist residency awards. Her work has been published by the Humble Arts Foundation, NYC and the Aperture Foundation, and is held in the permanent collections of the George Eastman Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, the Chrysler Museum, the Portland Art Museum, and the RISD Museum. Millee was the Abbott Watts Resident for Photography at Monson Arts in Spring 2024.
1) What was the best part for you about being at Monson Arts? And what, if anything, did it teach you about your own creative process?
The best part of being at Monson was working in Todd Watt’s darkroom and talking with Todd. He had wonderful stories about many iconic photographers. It was an honor to feel part of that lineage.
I learned that I work slowly and needed a bit more time to troubleshoot my process and work out ideas. I was only there for the 10 day residency which just wasn’t enough time to really get a handle on what I wanted to achieve.
2) Did you start a project while in residency and/or were you able to “complete” or wrap-up a work during your time here? What’s been your focus since you left Monson Arts?
I was able to make about 7 large scale prints during my time there from a series I had started the year before. I wouldn’t say the project is finished, but it was a singular opportunity to work at that scale in the darkroom. Since returning home, I have been working on building my own darkroom.
3) Name 3-5 writers, poets, artists, books, musicians, or visual works that continue to inspire you.
Erik Satie. Sol LeWitt. Sophie Calle. Leonard Cohen. Joni Mitchell.
Time and space to create.
Monson Arts is a new artists’ residency and arts center in Monson, Maine. Programs include residencies for artists and writers, intensive shorter workshops, and educational partnerships with area secondary schools.