Your name
Angelika Kollin
Place of birth
Valga, Estonia
Place where you live now
Tampa, USA
3 words to describe you
curious, passionate, kind
Why do you take pictures?
I capture images of individuals and their stories, driven by a desire to steer our collective gaze towards what truly counts – genuine people and messages of hope. Amidst the frantic pace of modern life, we find ourselves enslaved in a whirlwind of media bombardment, inadvertently fixating solely on the narratives of the affluent and renowned. Within this bubble, the essential figures and elements that bind our communities together often fade into obscurity. Yet, when we strip away the noise and look into the essence, we discover a handful of fundamental human desires – the wish for connection, love, and purpose. My goal as an artist revolves around these timeless themes.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My source of inspiration comes from encounters with individuals coming from diverse backgrounds and places. What unites them all is their complete authenticity and openness to share their tales. I don't go on a search for stories with a predetermined narrative in mind; rather, I engage in conscious, attentive listening. This approach brings towards me the most profound stories.
Who are your influences?
My influence comes from a lifelong interest in spirituality. In recent years, my focus has predominantly centered on the teachings of Advaita Vedanta. As part of my daily routine, I immerse myself in the wisdom imparted by luminaries such as Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Rupert Spira, and others.
What determines the subject matter you choose?
The subjects I choose to focus on are never a result of conscious selection, yet they invariably align with the ongoing currents of my own life. I firmly believe that all my artistic endeavors are reflective of my personal life cycles, constituting, to some extent, autobiographical expressions. What primarily guides my apparently serendipitous selection of subject matter is my receptivity to intuitively discern what commands my fullest attention in the present moment. It's akin to attuning myself to the subtle movements within and around me, where I can grasp a sense of recognition of something being an acutely important story or topic.
What impact would you like your art to have?
I firmly hold to the belief that art should be created freely and allowed to exist unrestricted. Consequently, I refrain from imposing any "obligations" on the body of work that came to exist through me and my subjects. I advocate for releasing art into the world without constraints, allowing it to find its own place and resonance. Whether witnessed by a few or many is immaterial; I refrain from passing judgment on what constitutes better or worse reception. Indeed, sometimes, the influence of a single individual can surpass that of a multitude. Yet, to directly answer the question, the sole impact I aspire for my art to have is to facilitate a deeper SEEing of others, thereby growing a recognition of our shared humanity.
What artwork do you never get bored with?
Movies by Tarkovsky, photography by Dorothea Lange, Lee Miller, and quite few others.
Is there anything you want to add?
no :)
