Mary Collins

Mary Collins, Hope Chest

Some of my artwork explores various aspects of living with a history of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. I create conceptual pieces that are intended to convey certain meaning to the viewer. I also create other works that are self-expression of my experiences and healing, and others just allow me to escape.

In my mixed media conceptual works I use repetition of imagery, words, baby dolls and other found objects. I hope to convey how it feels to be victimized and having something taken away from oneself. I want the viewer to understand or feel the innocence of the victims and how they need to be understood. I am revealing a part of me, my secrets and my feelings of isolation.

It is important to me also to portray in this work how have I grown and evolved from thses events. I use chests to hold, preserve and present what has not and cannot be taken from me. Inside the chests are photos of me, my watercolor paintings or other images that represent my empowered self. The inside holds my truth, my histories, myself.

Through the creation of this work I continue to heal, take back what was taken from me and embrace more who I am.

Among various other mediums and techniques, my watercolor paintings allow me to express myself and to escape to someplace else. This process is fulfilling and heals me in different ways. Through this work I feel and reveal the beauty in life.

Mary Collins, The Eyes have It
Mary Collins, All of Me	Mary Collins, Serenity