Hannah Wähmer I
Acrylic and emulsion on canvas
48" x 36"
2023
Acrylic and emulsion on canvas
48" x 36"
2023
Private collection
This painting belongs to Collins' long-running "Model Citizens" series. It is a portrait of the German model, Hannah Wähmer, that Collins has re-imagined in his signature, reserved palette and high-contrast style. Collins captures the dreamy whimsy of Wähmer's expression as she lifts a shaft of wheat gently to her lips.
Although this painting fits comfortably in Collins current oeuvre, it actually marks a significant development in his artistic development. Collins planned this painting in 2012, as part of his first batch of subjects in the "Model Citizens" series. At the time, most works in the series had relatively simple, black and white compositions, reminiscent of the stencil-based street art that has inspired Collins for decades. This piece was too detailed for Collins to create in pen and ink (as the other pieces in the series began) or at a small scale, as a sketch. It forced Collins to develop new techniques and encouraged him to experiment with a larger scale that is now his preference.
Collins completed this painting while practicing as a junior associate a large, international law firm.
