Bio
Collin Harper is a multidisciplinary artist and photographer based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Photography at Shepherd University, he is on track to graduate in 2025. His work has been featured in *Sans Merci*, Shepherd University's distinguished art and literary magazine, volumes 46 and 47. In addition to his personal projects, Collin is a sought-after freelance photographer, regularly commissioned for theater productions, graduation portraits, and wedding photography.
Collin’s artistic practice centers on alternative processes that integrate photography, painting, and collage. Deeply inspired by the intersection of science and art, his work deconstructs human anatomy to explore and visualize the intricate layers and systems that comprise the human form. By illustrating the interconnected patterns within the body, he celebrates the notion that we are all living works of art.
Collin’s creative philosophy reflects his commitment to embracing the infinite variables inherent in both the creation and interpretation of art. His work invites viewers to delve into the delicate balance of structure and fluidity, offering a profound commentary on the complexity of human existence.
Artist Statement
Through my creative process, I reconcile my thoughts and regain agency amidst the chaos—of life, of choices, of circumstances. The act of making becomes an experiment, a deliberate exploration of light, shadow, and form—elements that are not only fundamental to my work but also integral to how I perceive and interact with the world around me. It is these variables—light, shadow, and form—that draw me to an image, that invite both you and me into the composition. They are quintessential and we all interact with these forces constantly, because we are these forces. Through this visual dialogue, I extend access to my inner world; a cacophony of false truths, a conflicting sense of self that feels both powerful and powerless, and finally the truth of that value is largely determined by the collective unconscious. In this balance of access and control lies the heart of my work, the point where I let you in.