Eric Mueller is a Minneapolis-based artist, photographer, and teacher. Known for his graphic style and strength in composition, his work has been exhibited in dozens of shows including the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, the Plains Art Museum, the Devos Art Museum, the Midwest Center for Photography, Head On Photo Festival, and the Columbus Museum of Art. He has been recognized with awards by American Photography, The Photo Review, the MIRA Mobile Prize, the iPhone Photography Awards, and the Mobile Photography Awards.
In 2020, Mueller’s first photography book, Family Resemblance, was published by Daylight Books. Family Resemblance documents and celebrates people who are genetically related and bear a strong resemblance to each other. The project was inspired by seeing a photograph of his birth mother for the first time.
Mueller has also completed three year-long, photo-a-day projects: 2016’s 366 Things I Love, which challenged him to shoot and post a photo for 366 consecutive days; 2018’s 365 Details, in which he examined details of the world through macro photography; and Reset 2021, which was a direct response to the chaos of 2020. Reset 2021 is currently being exhibited at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.
In 2017, Mueller was featured on Minnesota Original, the Emmy-Award-winning television show on TPT (Twin Cities PBS) that profiles Minnesota artists.
Mueller teaches iPhone Photography classes online for FilmNorth (formerly IFP Minnesota) and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. He has over 40,000 followers on Instagram.
Before he became a full-time photographer in 2014, Mueller worked as a filmmaker and producer in the Twin Cities for 25 years. As a filmmaker, he received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Film Institute, the Jerome Foundation, Film in the Cities, as well as a Bush Artist Fellowship. He made a handful of short films as well as one feature film, “World and Time Enough.” These films screened at festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Rotterdam, and Frameline, where his feature won best picture in 1994. “World and Time Enough” as well as another short, “This Car Up” are distributed by Strand Releasing.
As a producer, Mueller worked for Paisley Park Studios, Motion504, Splice, and Gasket Studios, where his clients included Target, Best Buy, Syfy, National Geographic, General Mills, and agencies Fallon, Olson, Mono, Carmichael Lynch, Colle McVoy, and Campbell Mithun. He also served for two years as the Director of Production for the Minnesota Film Board.
In addition to his photography work, Mueller also oversees the McKnight Fellowships for Media Artists, which provide funding for artists through FilmNorth.
A native of Minnesota, he holds a B.A. in English from Carleton College and an M.A. in Film Production Studies from the University of Iowa.
Mueller lives in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood of Minneapolis with his husband and their two high-maintenance cats.
I use photography as a way of making sense of the world. My work seeks to capture and organize time into understandable moments, so that I can analyze and comprehend it. Through this process of photographing the world, I get a better understanding of who I am.
Each of my long-term projects has a rigid organizational structure at its foundation, forcing me to work within specific confines. Sometimes that structure is time-based, meaning that I have to create a fixed number of photos within a certain amount of time. Other times that structure is related to groups of people or things that have something in common with each other, with the photographs illuminating the similarities between subjects.
Rather than finding this artificial structure limiting, it frees me to explore the world, by giving me boundaries within which I can build understanding. Having an established process is paramount to my artistic practice, and although I allow myself room to explore, I never deviate from the framework of each project.
I am at a point where I’m just starting to understand my own artistic process, and what my potential as a photographer can be. Working with other photographers, curators, and mentors has helped me find my footing as an image maker, and makes me want to learn even more as I deepen my artistic practice.
2022
Minnesota Marine Art Museum “Eric Mueller: Reset 2021” Winona, MN, January 7 – May 1. (Solo show)
Mira Mobile Prize, Shortlist
Mira Forum Exhibition, Porto, Portugal
Mobile Photography Awards, Honorable Mention: Silhouettes
2020
Artistry “44th Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition,” Bloomington, MN, October 2 – November 14. (Juror: Nicole Watson, Director of the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery at St. Catherine University )
Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Competition, Minneapolis, MN, August 27 – September 7 (Juror: Buck Holzemer, photographer)
Mobile Photography Awards, Two Honorable Mentions: Architecture and Design
801 Lofts, Winter/Spring Group Show, Minneapolis, MN, Feb. 29 – Dec 31 (Curator: Jan Elftmann, artist)
Peterssen Keller Architecture, Minneapolis, MN, Select pieces on view through Fall 2020 (Curator: Tim Peterson, Platform)
2019
Artistry “43rd Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition,” Bloomington, MN, October 4 – November 15. (Juror: Andrea Specht, Artistry Executive Director)
Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Competition, Minneapolis, MN, August 22 – September 2 (Juror: Peter Wong, photographer)
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, The Art of Living with Dementia, June 6-July 31. (Funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board)
American Photography 35, Two photos selected for inclusion
Mobile Photography Awards, Three Honorable Mentions: Architecture, Black and White, Silhouettes
Duluth Art Institute, “2018 Arrowhead Biennial Exhibition,” Duluth, MN, January 17, 2018 – April 15, 2019 (Juror: Jehra Patrick, Law Warschaw Gallery) Honorable Mention
2018
American Society of Media Professionals, “Best of 2018,” First Prize, Personal Work
Mitrebox Framing Studio, Minneapolis, MN. Select pieces on display, December 1-31
Gamut Gallery, “C4W 2018,” Minneapolis, MN, October 25 – November 17 (Juror: Tara Laplant, Futra)
Artistry “42nd Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition,” Bloomington, MN, October 12 – November 16. (Juror: Cassie Garner, Gamut Gallery). Juror’s excellence award.
Norseman Distillery, “Singular: photos by Eric Mueller,” Minneapolis, MN, September 20 – November 4
Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Competition, Minneapolis, MN, August 20 – September 3 (Juror: Mark E. Jensen, photographer)
1650 Gallery, “Close Up Photography,” Los Angeles, CA
American Society of Media Professionals, “Spaces,” Honorable Mention, Series
Mobile Photography Awards: 2 Honorable Mentions, Architecture & Design, and Self-Portrait
2017
Mitrebox Framing Studio, Minneapolis, MN. Select pieces on display, November 1-30
Black Box Gallery “Photo Shoot: 2017” (On-line Annex), Portland, OR, October 1 – 20 (Juror: Todd Johnson, photographer)
Artistry “41st Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition,” Bloomington, MN, October 6 – November 17. (Curator: Carolyn Payne, Soo Visual Arts)
Peterssen Keller Architecture, Minneapolis, MN, Select pieces on view through Fall 2018 (Curator: Tim Peterson, Platform)
Sixteen Mile Art Gallery, “Eyes of the World,” Milton, Ontario, June 2 – June 30 (Curator: Daniel Berman, gallery director)
SE Center for Photography, “Architectural Photography,” Greenville, SC, April 7 – April 29 (Juror: Tillman Crane, photographer)
SE Center for Photography, “Beyond the Selfie,” Greenville, SC, March 3 – March 31 (Juror: Miss Aniela, photographer)
Art Reach St. Croix, “Greater than its Parts”: Group Show featuring selections from “366 Things I Love,” Stillwater, MN, February 16 – March 25
Visual Arts Minnesota, “Essential Art 2017,” Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, January 20 – March 5 (Juror: Tricia Heuring, Public Functionary)
Black Box Gallery “Black and White” (On-line Annex), Portland, OR, February 1 – 20 (Juror: Todd Johnson, photographer)
Mobile Photography Awards, Honorable Mention, Architecture and Design
Duluth Art Institute, “2016 Arrowhead Biennial Exhibition,” Duluth, MN, November 10, 2016 – February 9, 2017 (Juror: Dyani White Hawk, Visual Artist)
2016
Dave Bown Projects – 13th Semiannual Competition (Curators: Helga Christoffersen, Assistant Curator, New Museum, New York; and Kelly Kivland, Associate Curator, Dia Art Foundation) Honorable Mention.
Artistry “40th Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition,” Bloomington, MN, October 21 – November 25.
Franklin Arts Center, “Transitions,” Brainerd, MN, September 9 – October 29
Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Competition, Minneapolis, MN, August 25 – September 5, First Prize, (juried by Michelle Westmark Wingard, photographer)
Sixteen Mile Art Gallery, “Decisive: New Currents in Street Photography,” Milton, Ontario August 16 – September 17
La Grande Photo Awards, First Prize, Still Life
Devos Art Museum, “North of the 45th,” Marquette Michigan, June 3 – August 7, (juried by Michele Bosak, Curator of Exhibitions at Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids, MI)
Minneapolis Photo Center, “The Ties that Bind,” Minneapolis, MN, April 8 – May 20
Black Box Gallery, “Light and Shadow” (On-line Annex), Portland, OR, April 1 – 20
Midwest Center for Photography, “Emerge 2016,” Wichita, KS, March 25 – April 8
Der Grief Online, Selections by Andy Adams of FlakPhoto, February
Plains Art Museum “Art of the Plains XII” Fargo, North Dakota, February 6 – May 21
Black Box Gallery “Black and White: 2016” (On-line Annex), Portland, OR, February 1 – 20
Mobile Photography Awards: 2 Honorable Mentions, Architecture & Design
Mobile Photography Awards: Honorable Mention, Silhouettes
Mobile Photography Awards: Honorable Mention, Transportation
iPhone Photography Awards: Honorable Mention, Architecture
Sixteen Mile Arts Gallery, “4th Annual Mobile Photo Awards,” Milton, Ontario, January 1 – February 28
Black Box Gallery “Landscape: Photography Now” (On-line Annex), Portland, OR, January 1 – 20
2015
Black Box Gallery “Luminous: Light and Space” Portland, OR, November 1-20
Artistry “39th Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition,” Bloomington, MN, October 16 – November 27. Juror’s Excellence Award.
Head on Photo Festival sidebar at the International Photo Festival Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands, October 10-31
New York Center for Photographic Art, “Urban Landscapes” Juror’s Selection, Jadite Gallery, New York, September 15-30
Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Competition, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 27 – September 5 (juried by Steve Ozone, photographer)
Viridian Artists, 26th International Juried Exhibition, “Director’s Choice” Sidebar, New York, July 1-19
Devos Art Museum, “North of the 45th” Marquette, Michigan, June 5 – July 26 (curated by Lena Vigna, Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI)
Minneapolis Photo Center, “Still Life: The Inanimate Subject” Minneapolis, MN, May 29 – July 5 (juried by Russell Joslin, Shots Magazine Publisher)
Inclusion in book “Capture Minnesota IV” released May 15
Head On Photo Festival, Mobile 2015 Finalist, Depot Gallery, Sydney, Australia, May 5 – June 6
Columbus Museum of Art, “MobilePhotoNow” Columbus, Ohio, Feb 6 – Mar 22
Mobile Photography Awards: First Place, Architecture & Design
Mobile Photography Awards: Honorable Mention, Street Photography
2014
Minneapolis Photo Center, “Mobile Photo” Minneapolis, Minnesota
Instagramers Gallery, Madrid, Spain
Instagramers Gallery, Miami, Florida
I offer private mobile photography classes and individual tutoring, concentrating on the basics, including composition, light, and editing (right on your phone, using various apps.) Instead of using technical language, I focus on the creative side of photography, using hundreds of my own iPhone photos as examples. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, or you just want to take better photos of your everyday life, these beginning-level classes are a fun way to become a better photographer.
I am also available for corporate training for social media teams. Past clients include: the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx; ad agencies Colle+McVoy and Fast Horse; architecture firms ESG and Shelter; and St. Paul Public Libraries.
INTERVIEWS, PRESS APPEARANCES, AND WRITING
Press
Rangefinder “New Book on Family Resemblance Hits Home During Global Quarantine”
Star Tribune “Reflecting on Resemblance”
Art Daily “Daylight Books publishes Family Resemblance”
Daylight Books Spring 2020 Photo Books at Paris New York (Event cancelled due to Covid-19)
Star Tribune, “10 must-see works at Minnesota State Fair’s Fine Arts Building”
Sun Country View, “28 Travel Instagram Accounts You Should Follow Right Now”
BBC Culture, “Stunning Architecture Photos Taken with a Smartphone”
St. Paul Monitor, “Family Resemblance Project”
Rangefinder, “Finding the Family Resemblance”
Star Tribune, “They are Family: Minneapolis Photographer Captures Local Lookalikes”
TPT, Creative Juice Break, “Phone Photography”
Minnesota Original, Episode 801: Eric Mueller, Andrea Jenkins, and Prof
WCCO Radio, “News and Views with Roshini Rajkumar: State of the Cities”
MinnPost, “Inspiring, demystifying ‘MN Original’ to begin 8th season”
Citinerary, “Enjoying Winter in Minneapolis”
iPhone Photography School, “How Eric Mueller Takes Incredible Photos with his iPhone”
Passion Passport, “City Perspectives: Minneapolis” Part 1
Passion Passport, “City Perspectives: Minneapolis” Part 2
Huffington Post, “Oak Openings”
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, “EmptyMIA”
StarTribune, “InstaMeet at Arch of Hope”
KARE11, “Instagram Photos Bring Minnesotans Together”
I am currently handling all my own print sales. Certain photos in my portfolio are available for sale as an open edition and others are in very limited editions. I personally oversee the limited edition prints to make sure the quality and color meet my standards. These photos are printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper using an archival inkjet printer, and mounted on DiBond. Edition sizes are very small, usually no more than 9 prints. Prints may be purchased unframed, or framed with UV plexiglass or museum glass.
Below are some of the prints that are available for sale. If you are interested in print availability and pricing, please contact me.
