Collagism – The Multimedia Collage Artist of the East End

Collagism is an Australian artist based out of the Chisenhale Gallery space in Bow. She is known for her immersive collage projects. From analogue to digital and more recently within the realms of AI, her work constantly reinvents itself.

A Practice Built on Layers

Collagism’s journey began more than 25 years ago. “Back then it was magazines, rave flyers, anything I found along the way” she told Inspiring City. Today she uses Photoshop to scan, manipulate and rework physical collages. She then prints, cuts, and collages again.

“It’s like a never ending cycle of collage”.

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Collagism Interview – Artists of the East End

Artists of the East End with Collagism

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Analogue to AI

In recent years she has embraced AI. Feeding collages into digital systems and reworking them with Photoshop, Collagism has expanded her process. “It’s like scissors or a video camera” she says. “But a very powerful one. I can finally create things I’ve imagined for years”.

Inspirations and Influences

Her themes are wide-ranging. Travel, music, fashion, emotions, technology, and the human body’s interaction with machines are recurring interests. Pop Art has also been a huge influence. Andy Warhol’s screen printing and the multimedia spectacle of Exploding Plastic Inevitable being important inspirations.

Melbourne to the East End

Now firmly established in the East End. It was a chance participation in a Brick Lane show that was the catalyst for moving from Melbourne to London. The tongue-in-cheek pop character ‘Dick Chicken‘ having gained the attention of some artists and curators in the city.

“I walked out of Liverpool Street, turned onto Brick Lane, and felt like I’d come home. When I walked into the gallery and met the community there, I thought – this is my tribe.”

Pivotal Moment

It was, says Collagism, a pivotal moment. That same night deciding to move to London. Since then, becoming a key part of East London’s thriving art scene. It was from here that she would base her practice.

Art as Connection

For Collagism, art is not just about aesthetics. It is about energy, curiosity, and emotional connection. She believes that the best art provokes a response, whether positive or negative.

“I want people to look at my work and feel something. Whether they love it, hate it, or are just like ‘what the fuck?’”

Intrigue and the Unexpected

That feeling of intrigue, of being pulled into something unexpected, is what she values most. Her aim is to create work that can’t easily be ignored. A piece that might spark wonder, confusion, or even discomfort. But in every case, she hopes it leaves the viewer more curious about life and about themselves.

“I feel my mission in art is to spread joy,” she says. “Joy can come in many forms. It might be laughter, surprise, recognition, or even a sense of release.”

Joy in Art

That sense of joy runs through her collage practice. You can see it in the playful layering of images, the unexpected compositions and the vibrant colour. It is also present in the way she embraces new tools, from scissors to Photoshop to AI. Always searching for new ways to inspire and surprise.

Art is a Gift

For Collagism, art is a gift. It is a chance to bring people into her world and encourage them to see things differently. Whether on a gallery wall, in a fashion piece, or through a digital screen. Her collages aim to remind us of one simple truth: joy is everywhere, if you choose to see it.

Collagism is the artist name of Holly-Anne Buck an Australian multimedia artist based in the East End of London. She was interviewed as part of the Inspiring City ‘Artists of the East End’ series on 20 August 2025. You can follow Collagism via her website and instagram pages.

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• Interview with Australian Artist Jerome Davenport
• Artist Euan Roberts at he Joy Ride exhibition in London
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