Meet Eden Collins | Artist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eden Collins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eden, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want my legacy to be one of embracing the unknown and acting courageously. I remember my parents telling me as a young girl that anything worth doing will always be a little bit scary. Following the status quo doesn’t interest me, and I think most people who do follow it do so because they are anxious to break from the mold. Jumping into the void of the unknown and doing things differently is scary, but it’s simultaneously thrilling. My goal is to not only be someone who acts with courage, but to imbue that same confidence in others. I have a motto with my students that we should “fail spectacularly!” What I mean by that is failure is a natural part of learning, but rather than fearing failure, let’s embrace it fully. Instead of fearing things not turning out how we plan, what if we treat it like improv and roll with it? See where things take us! This mentality has helped me stop comparing myself to everyone else and allow me to live my own life my own way. I want to help others do the same.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a queer artist born and raised in West Branch, MI. I studied art at Hope College in Holland, MI, and then completed my MFA at UTSA in San Antonio, TX. I make sculptures, performances, videos, installations, and photographs that include me dressed as various characters.

A lot of my work is based in the sociological idea of the self-concept. It explores how our identities are forged through socialization, and I use my characters to unpack how we act based on our understanding of how we believe others see us. if we didn’t feel the compulsion to hide our “behind closed doors” selves, how differently might our culture look?

I also make work that questions how we teach or fail to teach our youth about human sexuality and the impact that has on us into adulthood. Growing up in a medical household, my parents talked anatomically about the body, so I grew up in a sex-positive environment long before I learned of that term. Human desires, anatomy, hormones, and bodily chemistry are all part of life, and so I want my art to open doors for individuals to examine their own self-perceptions and give themselves permission to embrace their humanness rather than expending energy on feeling shame.

Making art that deals with these concepts took work. I have received resistance throughout the years that my work is too edgy, too grown-up, too sexual. The fact that I get this kind of pushback says I have more work to do. These conversations need to happen. When has repression ever turned out well? I want people to feel more agency in their own lives, and learning how to embrace ourselves will help each of us gain more agency. When we feel empowered, we can make some real change happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many amazing things to do and see! For art, I would check out the Dallas Contemporary, The Warehouse, Arts Fort Worth, and all the museums in the Fort Worth Cultural District and Dallas Arts District. Wear comfy shoes, though. There is lots to see! If your friend is not from Texas, take them to a big dance hall like Cowboys. People take their two-stepping seriously! Meow Wolf Grapevine is also fun for anyone visiting the area. For food, I would recommend a trip to Alice, a Pan-Asian restaurant in Dallas with yummy and beautiful shareable dishes. Pho District DFW is also a great choice if you’re in Fort Worth and need something scrumptious.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without the support of my family. My mother and grandpa gave me my creativity. My grandpa taught me how to use all the tools in his shop, and he gave me tools to help me start building up my own. My mom is a retired nurse, but deep down she’s an artist too. My dad and sister have been the best supporters of my work, and their amazing imaginations have helped me numerous times along the way. I also want to thank my husband, Dan. He has been my biggest cheerleader, favorite art installation buddy, and dearest friend. He reminds me of my capabilities when I struggle and helps me find joy in making again. I also wish to thank my incredible mentors and friends, Candace, Buster, Ken, Libby, Justin, Gabi, and Jessica. Each of them has made a tremendous impact on my life, and I am forever grateful to them.

Website: edencollins.com

Instagram: edencollins_art

Other: https://vimeo.com/edencollins

Image Credits
Images courtesy of artist