Critically acclaimed artist Alexander Millar opened his first ever State-side museum exhibition

On 2nd April 2018, self-taught and critically acclaimed artist Alexander Millar opened his first ever State-side museum exhibition Everyday Heroes at New York City Fire Museum. The exhibition then went on to show in a gallery in New York City’s fashionable SoHo district and Millar now returns to the UK with a contract to open an art gallery on Fifth Avenue, New York.

Everyday Heroes was painted especially for the New York City Fire Museum to honour the firefighters of the city in what Millar refers to as a celebration of the modern day working men and women that he is known for portraying in his artwork.

The collection featured living firefighters, such as Tracy Lewis (only the second-ever black female firefighter to be promoted to Lieutenant in the FDNY) as well as those who have passed away, such as Keithroy Maynard who was killed in service during saving civilians during the 9/11 attacks.

Taking inspiration from archive material from the New York City Fire Museum, and the Vulcan Society (a organization supporting Black Firefighters), including photographs of the 18th, 19th and 20th century firefighter, Millar created a collection of portraits and cityscapes that show respect, humour and warmth for the everyday heroes of the city, communicating a strong sense of the people behind the uniforms.