Collin Stafford

Collin Stafford is a Lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design and an Adjunct Instructor at Victor Valley College since 2019. He holds a BA from CSUN (2010) and an MFA from CSULA (2014). As one-half of the collaborative artist duo Beck+Col, his practice explores costume-based performance, video art, and communal experiences through monstrous themes, critiquing capitalism, individualism, and human-centric norms.

Research & Practice: Beck+Col's work constructs alternate universes privileging non-human entities, blending hyperreal aesthetics with socio-political commentary. Their projects interrogate systemic oppression, the power of collective action, and the queering of cultural norms. They employ collaborative methodologies, involving performers and artists in large-scale, immersive installations.

Exhibitions & Residencies: The duo has exhibited globally at venues including Hammer Museum, Royal College of Music (Sweden), and Biquini WAX EPS (Mexico City). Notable residencies include the San Diego International Airport Performing Arts Residency (2020) and UNLV Virtual Artist in Residence (2021). Their collaborative ART TALK Talk talk workshop series highlights their educational engagement.

Awards & Recognition: Beck+Col received multiple Foundation for Contemporary Art Emergency Grants and were nominated for the Rema Hort Mann Emerging Artist Grant (2020). Their work has been featured in Hyperallergic, LAWEEKLY, and CalArts publications.