Kirsten Miller (South African writer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kirsten Miller
Kirsten Miller

Kirsten Miller is a South African novelist, writer and artist. Her first book Children on the Bridge: A Story of Autism in South Africa (Jacana 2006) is an autobiographical account of her work as a tutor of autistic children. It details the challenges in dealing with these children and their families and the effect this work has on her personal life.[1] [2]


Her novel All is Fish (Jacana 2007) was shortlisted for the 2005 EU Literary Awards. The novel is set in the resort town of Mtunzini in Zululand, South Africa and deals warmly with the complex relationships between the three central protagonists.[3] [4]


She has published short stories in four collections ("When the Master Calls", "The Chief's Spell", "White Boy", and "Chance Encounter" in Uncovered Mirrors, African Road, African Compass and Dinaane: Short Stories by South African Women, respectively), and was also twice a finalist in the HSBC SA Pen Awards.[5] Miller was featured in the 2008 Time of the Writer International Writers Festival alongside Breyten Breytenbach, Charles Mungoshi, Ananda Devi and John Pilger.[6]


Kirsten Miller’s artwork centres on fabric and watercolours, drawing inspiration from her surroundings and thoughts. Johannesburg’s Unity Gallery has held a solo exhibition of her work.[7] [8] Her fabric, beads and fibreglass commission of African Moo-nlight for CowParade was purchased on auction by the brewer SABMiller.[9]


Miller has a BA (Hons.) cum laude from the University of Natal and has held jobs as a university lecturer, creativity teacher and dolphin trainer. She has lived in London, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Kirsten currently lives in Durban and works with autistic children as well as attending to her artwork and writing.[10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lindsay Ord - The Daily News. "Entering their closed minds" - Interview and Review.
  2. ^ Cathryn Pearman-Owens - The Citizen. "Positive View" - Review.
  3. ^ Litnet. "EU Literary Award: Jury Comments" - Review.
  4. ^ Janet van Eeden - The Natal Witness. "Three childhood friends re-unite" - Review.
  5. ^ BOOK SA - Caroline. "Kirsten Miller: Renaissance Woman".
  6. ^ Centre for Creative Arts. "2008 Time of the Writer".
  7. ^ Artthrob. Guateng Listings.
  8. ^ Unity Design. Gallery.
  9. ^ CowParade South Africa. "African Moo-nlight" - Pic and Bio.
  10. ^ Kirsten Miller. Homepage.


[edit] External links

 This article about a South African writer or poet is a stub. You can help by expanding it.