Renowned photographer Jerry McMillan, a key figure in documenting the mid-century art scene in Los Angeles, passed away on February 9 at the age of 89. His son revealed that McMillan’s death was due to “old age and a broken heart,” as his wife of over six decades, Patricia Ella McMillan, had passed away just a week prior.
Born on December 7, 1936, in Oklahoma City, McMillan had childhood friendships with artists Ed Ruscha and Joe Goode. In 1957, he moved to Los Angeles to attend the Chouinard Art Institute, where he joined a group of fellow Oklahoma transplants, including Ruscha and Goode, forming the “Students Five.” After graduating, McMillan became a prominent documenter of the emerging LA art world, capturing artists like Ed Kienholz, Larry Bell, and Robert Irwin, who were associated with the influential Ferus Gallery.
McMillan’s photographs not only recorded the era but also played a significant role in shaping the public image of artists. He often portrayed them in staged, whimsical scenes that highlighted different facets of their personalities. For instance, his photos of Ed Ruscha depicted him as a sailor, cowboy, and even a shirtless beefcake, playing on his hyper-masculine persona.
In addition to male artists, McMillan also captured iconic images of female artists like Barbara T. Smith and Judy Chicago. One striking photo featured Chicago in a boxing ring, wearing a shirt with her new last name and boxing gloves, symbolizing her strength and resilience in a male-dominated art world.
McMillan’s work was not without controversy, as seen in his photo accompanying the “War Babies” exhibition at the Huysman Gallery in 1961. The image depicted four artists from different ethnic backgrounds eating stereotypical foods around a table draped with the US flag, sparking debates about patriotism and cultural stereotypes.
Aside from photography, McMillan was a pioneer in photo-sculptures, pushing the boundaries of the medium by printing images on unconventional surfaces like copper forms and metal sheets. His innovative approach to photography was showcased in exhibitions at prestigious institutions like the Pasadena Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
McMillan’s legacy as a photographer and sculptor continues to influence the art world, with his early experiments in photo-sculpture paving the way for photography’s recognition as a fine art form. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, leaving behind a rich body of work that immortalizes the vibrant art scene of mid-century Los Angeles.
