Austin Miller

"My Free Time, My Body, My Soul, Before Tax"

When our worship of hustle culture cannibalizes us all. What will be left to sell?

“Our generation is facing the harsh realities of unaffordability and food scarcity. It is often found waiting in food bank lines or on lengthy 20-year waiting lists for cooperative housing.One model, ten years older than me, built a successful career on stage and in studios throughout Toronto. Now, he finds himself on OnlyFans, attempting to generate income for survival. After 20 years of gig work and hustle culture, we are forced to auction off our insides, parts, and souls to the highest bidder—not to get ahead but to keep our heads above water.The materials I used for this project reflect the many layers of my anxieties as a creator. I chose three distinct mediums, each representing how I can utilize my skills. The first is a digitally manipulated image that I printed and framed. The second is a classic painting on canvas depicting the central figure. Lastly, I incorporated craft elements to symbolize the emotional 'insides' spilling out. These approaches illustrate the various ways of making money within our corrupt capitalistic system.”