Kalvin Collins lives and works in London, United Kingdom, since 2004.
His family emigrated from Newcastle, England to New Zealand where he was born in Hamilton. He was educated at the University of Auckland, Elam School of Fine Arts in New Zealand, graduating with a Masters Degree in Fine Arts (First-class honours).
Kalvin has exhibited his work widely as a professional practising artist. Many of his pieces can be found in both public and private art collections worldwide, including the UK, Ireland, France, United States, New Zealand, Australia and Columbia.
His paintings are visually striking images which reference contemporary hi-tech imagery with an abundance of dynamic colour. The paint surface is heavily worked to create tension.
It is structured to convey an array of techniques that replicate technologic media and transmit beyond one viewpoint.
The imagery in his work is carefully arranged and often governed by its own rules and fragmented pictorial logic. The figures inhabit outrageous narratives, referencing historical iconography as varied as Hieronymus Bosch, Stanley Kubrick, Luis Bunuel and Armand Van Helden.
Often motifs are mounted above the pictures surface to extend beyond the conventions of the traditional panel. All these elements converge to create a hyper contemporary reality which accepts the impact of the broadcast media on our lives.
The persistent concerns that anchor his work are the vast psychological drama in each individual's personal unreality.The creeping unease that manifests itself within the irrational search for perfectionism.
His work reflects the technologic reality of our time where the potential variables are considerable as we evolve increasingly within urban virtual environments.