Special Feature-January 2010

The Versatile P'lla Mills

Our featured artist for January, P’lla (Priscilla) Mills, was born in Connersville, Indiana, in 1918, and she passed in Los Angeles in 1964 at the young age of 46.

Her artistic career was versatile and always changing. Her artwork included jewelry, paintings, sculptures, leather sandals and accessories and, in addition, she designed and created most of her furniture.

P’lla Mills studied at the Chicago Art Institute while embarking in the millinery profession by designing and creating hats and running her own hat store.

In the mid fifties, she was part of a cooperative of artists in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley. A few years later, she opened up a shop on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles to display her artwork.

P’lla Mills was one of the first artists to exhibit at the Golden State Mutual Life head office in Los Angeles. She was good friends with contemporary artists in Los Angeles including Charles White, Bettye Saar, Alice Gafford, Elizabeth Catlett and William Pajaud.

P'lla Mills often created outstanding art by utilizing wire and welded rod and occasionally, sheet metal, which had been forged with an oxyacetylene torch. By alternately heating and cooling, the metal is shaped and provides the unusual textured effect.

On loan to Golden State Mutual is a versatile collection of 12 outstanding pieces by P'lla Mills. Click on the thumbnails below to view images of these pieces:

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