Take a glimpse through the lens of an iconic 20th century photographer as The Polygon Gallery presents Lee Miller: A Photographer at Work (1932–1945).
On display from November 7, 2025 to February 1, 2026, the blockbuster survey spans Lee Miller’s most pivotal and productive period: from her time as a highly sought-after studio portraitist to a commercial fashion photographer, after which she served a critical role as the World War II correspondent for the British edition of Vogue.
Encompassing more than 100 images, Lee Miller: A Photographer at Work (1932–1945) reveals the behind-the-scenes dynamics of an artist managing a photography career amid the barriers facing professional women at the time — offering a richly layered, complex portrait of this celebrated photojournalist. The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Lee Miller Archives (England), and was previously presented during Les Rencontres d’Arles (France) and at The Image Centre (Toronto).
“There is a long history of women’s work being made invisible or excluded from the canon of photography history, and while Lee Miller’s name has been known for years in association with the Surrealist Man Ray, something was always missing in her narrative,” says Gaëlle Morel, the exhibition’s curator and Exhibitions Curator at The Image Centre. “The time is right to finally complicate and deepen our understanding of this important photographer. The exhibition isn’t about mythologising an artist, but about providing Miller due credit. She made an indelible impact on our visual culture through all of her endeavours, from her creative work to her unflinchingly honest photographs from the warfront.”
“In partnership with the Lee Miller Archives, The Image Centre in Toronto has done a remarkable job highlighting the arc of Miller’s storied career as an accomplished professional photographer,” says Elliott Ramsey, Curator of The Polygon Gallery. “We’re excited to share this work — its historical impact and contemporary resonance — with audiences on the West Coast.”
Lee Miller: A Photographer at Work (1932–1945) spans three sections: Miller’s in-studio portraiture, her fashion photography for Vogue, and her photojournalism work documenting the advancement of Allied forces into Europe. The exhibition also includes archival materials: a selection of vintage publications — including the spreads from historical issues of Vogue that show how Miller’s war photographs first reached the general public — personal correspondence, and selected self-portraits.
Join in a special Opening Celebration for Lee Miller: A Photographer at Work (1932–1945) on Thursday, November 6 at 7pm featuring Elliott Ramsey and Ami Bouhassane, granddaughter of Lee Miller and co-director of the Lee Miller Archives.
Starting November 7, 2025, Lee Miller: A Photographer at Work (1932–1945) the exhibition is on view until February 1, 2026 at The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver.
Visit thepolygon.ca for more information about the Gallery and exhibitions.