Looking back

“If I could tell a 15‑year‑old self something, it'd be to try not to care about your appearance. Besides that, I think to always hold on to that sense of childhood wonder, that excitement. I always try to make sure I remember to put that back into my work, to remember that from doing it because I love it, and it’s not just a job, and doing it for play. As an artist, I think it’s incredibly important to hold on to the fearlessness that you have as a child. It helps you take risks in your art.”

In honor of International Women's Day this week, we are posting quotes from our latest Creative New York interview with Petra Collins, highlighting important issues relating to body image, openness and collaboration, and health care access as an artist. Read the entire interview at nyc.moma.org.

Join us on 3/18 for PopRally’s Petra Collins: In Search of Us, an evening of performance, music, and digital art conceived and developed by Collins and artist Madelyne Beckles. Tickets and more info at mo.ma/poprallyxpetra

On the female body

“One of the first shows I had was a mix of old and new work. As a young woman growing up in the 2000s, I’ve always felt like teenagers were very sexualized, and that there was this constant presence of the male gaze, even in my own work. So it was interesting looking at that work and then at my newer work, and noticing how things might have changed, or at least my perception of things as seen through my photography. It’s very interesting for me looking back on my life, and how I lived it, and what images I was creating and were meaningful to me.”

In honor of International Women's Day this past week, we are posting quotes from our latest Creative New York interview with Petra Collins, highlighting important issues relating to body image, openness, collaboration, and healthcare access as an artist. Read the entire interview at nyc.moma.org.

And join us on 3/18 for PopRally’s Petra Collins: In Search of Us, an evening of performance, music, and digital art conceived and developed by Collins and artist Madelyne Beckles. Tickets and more info at mo.ma/poprallyxpetra

"This series of animations was inspired by finding solace in celebrating traditionally dismissed feminine objects, the act of creating a world that mirrors my desires, and Eiichi Yamamoto’s dark psychedelic fantasy tale ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ (1973).”  - Grace Miceli

“Let Her Eat Grapes!”

“‘Let Her Eat Grapes!’ is an interrogation of Dutch still life painting by insertion of black female body into the work. This is meant to illuminate the tension between aestheticizing the abundance that appears in the domestic sphere, while the Dutch were capitalizing off of black bodies through slavery at the same point in history.” - Madelyne Beckles

For PopRally Presents Petra Collins: In Search of Us, artists Madelyne Beckles, Aleia Murawski, and Grace Miceli have created videos to re-examine the canonical representation of the female body through a series of original, short artist videos conceived with Petra Collins.

On collaboration

“As an artist, collaboration is key for me. One of my oldest friends, Madelyne Beckles, is also my closest artistic collaborator. Since high school, we really clicked, personally and creatively. She brings her experience to my work, and I bring my experience to hers. We are also very different, but I believe it’s also important to work with people who aren’t like you. For me, not only has she always understood my work, but she can also give me criticism.” - Petra Collins

In honor of International Women’s Day this week, we are posting quotes from our latest Creative New York interview with Petra Collins, highlighting important issues relating to body image, openness and collaboration, and health care access as an artist. Read the interview at nyc.moma.org in anticipation of PopRally’s upcoming event, Petra Collins: In Search of Us, on 3/18. Tickets and info at mo.ma/poprallyxpetra

Health care access 

“I’ve been a big supporter of Planned Parenthood. To me they’re such an important and critical thing for American health care that I want to do whatever I can for them. As a Canadian, health care wasn’t a thing for me that you would have to pay for or think about. When I moved here I went to Planned Parenthood because I needed to go see a doctor. I had the most pleasant experience that, when I left, I actually called my dad sobbing. I told him what happened, and how nice, and polite, and everything they were with me. At that point I was making no money as an artist, so I could have not afforded getting tests. It needs to be something that stays.”

In honor of International Women's Day, we are posting quotes from our latest Creative New York interview with Petra Collins, highlighting issues relating to body image, openness, collaboration, and health care access as an artist. Read the entire interview at nyc.moma.org.

Join us on 3/18 for MoMA PopRally’s Petra Collins: In Search of Us, an evening of performance, music, and digital art conceived and developed by Collins and artist Madelyne Beckles. Tickets and more info at mo.ma/poprallyxpetra

PopRally presents Petra Collins: In Search of Us

Join us this Saturday, March 18, as PopRally presents Petra Collins: In Search of Us. Artists Petra Collins and @madelynebeckles present a site-specific, live tableau celebrating the female form. The event will feature a musical performance by Junglepussy, DJ set by Madeline Poole, open bar, digital installations, and access to our collection galleries. More information and tickets at mo.ma/PopRallyxPetra

"Painting for me lies in the pure pleasure of invention,” Francis Picabia wrote in 1927.

“Working on the Picabia exhibition even led to my own inventions! Here I am in my hand-painted costume inspired by the artist's designs for his Relâche dancers. Everything is more fun when you're wearing dots!"