Janice Milhem

Artist Statement

Janice Milhem is a visual journalist interested in capturing thought provoking imagery that tell
stories and inspire conversation. Many of her images explore the relationships between individuals
within fringe and subcultures, mainly captured within urban areas typically not on the radar.

;My aim is to drive deeper into storytelling as an art form and to enrich one;s understanding and
compassion of life around us - the differences that may divide us and those that help bring us
closer together.” Milhem’s work reflects her own questioning of belonging and identity. Her
disarming and matter of fact demeanor has enabled Milhem to move about various communities
she photographs with fluidly. The results are less voyeuristic and honor the intentions of the
subjects. Beyond good composition and story, she seeks opportunities to capture subjects with a
bit of playfulness and irony along the way.
She often paints from the photos she creates. Milhem has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. In 2018, she received a
Fellowship from Documenting Detroit on her portrayal of a senior community who’ve each
contributed to the rich cultural fabric of the city’s past and present. Milhem's new book, Conditionally Human explores various cultural communities within the Detroit metro area as well as abroad. She is best known locally for
her books on Dogs of Ann Arbor’s Old Westside and Dogs of Ann Arbor’s Water Hill
neighborhood. Milhem has placed and been featured in several photographic publications such as
Neutral Density Awards, All About Photo, American Society of Media Photographers, Fabrik
Media, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, Women in Photography International, Longford Digital Arts
& Media Centre, PhotoPlace Gallery, Muse Photographic Magazine and New Republic. Most
recently, she has been featured in the June 2022 issue of AAP Magazine, B&W for her documentary
work on her Wisest Generation.