Artist Statement
Three Wise and Weary I and Three Wise and Weary II, is a grouping of sculptures that I started several years ago, that I call the trophy series. It is my hope that the sculptures are both playful and serious. All little kids love to get a trophy. There are major milestones in everyone’s life or a trophy is sometimes appropriate, to mark and celebrate accomplishment. By the title of the sculptures, I am referencing both celebratory and suffering moments of life.
Artist Bio
Professor Austin Collins is a sculptor known for his large-scale metal work that draws on and extends the Modernist tradition. His work has been featured in 137 exhibitions and is included in over 57 public and private collections. He has also given 35 public lectures on his work at various institutions across the country. Collins’s area of practice includes public art, large outdoor sculpture, installation art and liturgical art. The theme of his creative work often deals with political and social issues. Collins has exhibitions at Northwestern University, University of Tennessee, University of Alabama, University of California and the University Virginia. He currently has work on view at: University of Alabama, City of Huntsville, AL Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, Indiana University, South Bend, IN, City of Port Huron, MI, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve, Niles, MI, Fredrik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI and Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH. His work has been reviewed and written about in publications such as Sculpture Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, New City Chicago, The Detroit News, The Indianapolis Star and Dialogue. Collins Studied art at the University of California at Berkeley and received a M.F.A. in sculpture from Claremont Graduate University. Collins is currently a professor of sculpture at the University of Notre Dame, a position he has held for the past 29 years.