Kaia Gerber I
Acrylic and emulsion on canvas
48"x 60"
2025
Acrylic and emulsion on canvas
48"x 60"
2025
Private collection
This painting is part of Collins' long-running "Model Citizens" series, in which he explores themes such as beauty and the Sublime through portraits of models. Here, Collins has depicted model Kaia Gerber, the daughter of the iconic supermodel, Cindy Crawford.
As with all artworks in the series, Collins employs his signature, limited palette and high-contrast style. However, his portrait of Gerber displays an increasing progression towards nuanced representations of highlights and shadows. While remaining committed to the essential flatness of painting, Collins uses finely and deliberately composed, almost pointillist renderings of shadow to suggest gradient and dimension.
Collins' attention to the details of his subject's contours responds to the unique challenges of painting full-length portraits, as compared to mere faces and busts. This portrait of Gerber is one of only a handful of such portraits in the series.
At the time of completion, this painting was also Collins' largest painting to date. Increasingly, Collins uses scale to accentuate the arresting feeling of the Sublime.
