Biography
Heather Edwards, born and raised in Browns Mills, New Jersey, is a rising artist with a passion to create and learn. She is typically found creating sculptures and installations tying into her memories and family using cheap and easily accessible materials. Heather has received her associates degree in the fine arts back in 2022. Currently, she is attending Rutgers University, striving to get a bachelors in the fine arts with her eyes on the end goal of getting her teaching certification. Though she is actively creating new work, her work isn’t typically seen outside of her social media pages. During her high school career, she did submit a few pieces to the recurring art show “Teen Arts”. An art show showcasing work created by students across the Burlington County area. In 2019 her oil self-portrait titled “Flame” made it to the second round of judging in Smithville, NJ. in the same year, she placed 3rd place at a separate event, “Clay in Mind”. Heather had found her passion for art since she was a child, always colouring and drawing whatever her imagination saw. It was a fun activity to keep her hands moving, but as time went on, her art truly became her safe haven. In 2017, one of her biggest influences, her mother, passed away of ALS. Though these times were dark, Heather used her art as a way to cope and to express her emotions. Currently, she is painting and sculpting new works that play with memory and explores the deep topic of life.
Artist Statement
Growing up, I was fortunate to explore and dabble in the art world, thanks to my parents’ encouragement and support. My artistic journey began with simple materials—crayons and markers—later evolving into painting, sculpting, crafting, and photography. Art became a form of exploration, play, and eventually, a deeper means of expression. As I refined my skills over time, I embarked on a personal quest to blend my diverse interests into a cohesive visual language that emphasizes harmony, beauty, and above all, memory.
This creative process often feels like solving a complex, evolving puzzle. The questions that arise, what materials do I use? Which memories should I include? What colors will best convey the emotion? Some answers come quickly, while others require more time and trial-and-error. Slowly, the elements begin clicking into place. When everything aligns, a new piece of art emerges, one that feels emotionally complete.
In my work, I depict memories both clearly and abstractly, depending on the strength of the recollection. In some of my work, I use oil paints to create images that are sometimes intentionally blurred, inspired by photographs my late mother took during my childhood. At a glance, most of the work seems normal, though in some works, after closer inspection, some details are missing, or some things are added in. In my most recent work, I have been exploring and building more with cardboard, going back to child-like materials such as crayons. I am working with cardboard to help portray the fragility of the material but also of memories, especially of those with my mother before she passed due to Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
This experience, coupled with encouragement from friends and teachers, inspired me to pursue art professionally. My work aims to honor personal narratives and invite others to reflect on their own stories. Through this process, I’ve come to believe that art not only captures memory but can also foster healing, help build empathy, and celebrate the full spectrum of life.