Alex Miller

ENVOL

Envol is a piece that draws on my experiences of long-term emotional hardship in childhood. I grew up with a father struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction, and a mother facing depression and serious health issues. Fear and chaos were part of daily life.

I didn’t realize how much these experiences had affected me until I was in my late twenties. I began asking myself why I was struggling so much in certain aspects of my life. It took me years to realize that my experiences growing up had shaped how I perceive the world, how I move through it, and how I relate to others. The experiences of my childhood continue to resonate with me, even as an adult. Trauma is not something that vanishes; it threads itself into the ways we carry ourselves and connect with life, and with others.

Through aerial straps, I explore how the things that weigh us down can also become a source of strength, showing that resilience and transformation can emerge even from the heaviest experiences. Rather than presenting a linear narrative of recovery, this piece honours the non‑linear, layered process of living with and beyond trauma. Envol is still in progress — it is a living exploration, evolving as I continue to engage with my past, my body, and my emotions

For me, art is a way to remain connected to our shared humanity. It reminds us that we are not alone, that our emotions and struggles echo in one another. Art becomes a bridge — between myself and the audience, and among the spectators themselves — bringing to light the experiences we share.

I hope my work resonates with anyone who’s ever had to survive, adapt, or find strength in difficult circumstances.