

Nathan Heilman is a Boston-based artist who was born and raised in Washington State before joining the Marine Corps at 17-years-old. Nathan attained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant while in the Marines. After transitioning out from the service in 2014, he earned BFAs in English (Poetry) and in Studio Art, both from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Nathan served as Artist-In-Residence at the Brant Gallery, Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2018, and earned his MFA in Sculpture also from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2020.
Nathan Heilman’s current work is when the storm starts stopping. He describes the work thus: “This current body of work, when the storm starts stopping reflects a moment of clarity where, like a toddler who has cried themselves to the point of reason, I am finding balance in my story telling. As a former Marine of more than a decade I feel compelled to engage in conversation about those marginalized in warfare, but the means are, necessarily, changing. With the title, borrowed from Dr. Seuss, I gave myself permission to have fun with the process and, while the sentiment is still often pretty fucked up, there is a level of hope I allow myself and the work to have. Using materials familiar to my practice like cement, dirt, fire and human blood I hope to continue the dialogue while allowing for more experimental and intuitive making.”
BCA Studio Resident since 2021