Exhibitions
I See Myself In You
Paintings by William Collin
September 4 - October 16, 2025
Reception: Thursday, September 4, 6 - 8 p.m.
The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery at Bristol Community College presents I See Myself in You, a solo exhibition of recent paintings by William Collin. Through emotionally resonant, vividly layered acrylic portraits, Collin invites viewers to bear witness to the interior lives of Black men and boys—depicted with depth, complexity, and care.
At the Gallery, we often speak of art as an opportunity to witness: a place to observe, to recognize, to reckon, and at times, to repair. I See Myself in You brings us into that space with honesty and insight. Collin’s portraits are not about spectacle. They are intimate, emotionally grounded works that ask us to slow down and look again—at the gestures, burdens, and expressions too often overlooked.
Born in Washington, DC and now living in Fall River, Collin’s own life informs his
practice. His return to painting after years away—sparked by the tragic death of his
cousin—has led to a body of work marked by technical skill, spiritual clarity, and
profound emotional resonance. These paintings function as emotional documents, testaments
to the tenderness, grief, strength, and ancestral memory that shape Black male identity.
The exhibition’s title, I See Myself in You, reflects Collin’s vision of recognition—one that honors shared vulnerability and unspoken grace while never collapsing difference. Each portrait invites us to consider not just what is shown, but what is preserved, protected, and sacred. From the curve of a boy’s posture to the quiet presence of flowers in the background, Collin’s subjects are rooted, particular, and fully human.
We are honored to present this deeply moving exhibition to our community. I See Myself in You is more than an exhibition—it is a space for reflection, connection, and the quiet power of truly seeing one another.