ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Nan Goldin on Childhood, Empathy, and 'Eden and After'

publication · 2026-05-05

In a video interview, photographer Nan Goldin discusses her book 'Eden and After', published in 2014 by Phaidon Press. The work is a tribute to children, whom she describes as 'closer to God' due to their spontaneity and sincerity. The photographs feature children of close friends, captured from early infancy to adolescence, depicting a magical phase of life when humans are still connected to their origins. Goldin, born in 1953, recently joined Instagram with a highly followed account. She states that her work is nourished by empathy and love.

Key facts

  • Nan Goldin discusses her book 'Eden and After' in a video interview.
  • 'Eden and After' was published in 2014 by Phaidon Press.
  • The book is an homage to the world of children.
  • Goldin describes children as 'closer to God' due to their spontaneity and sincerity.
  • The photographs depict children of close friends from infancy to adolescence.
  • Goldin recently opened a highly followed Instagram account.
  • Goldin was born in 1953.
  • She says her work is nourished by empathy and love.

Entities

Artists

  • Nan Goldin

Institutions

  • Phaidon Press
  • Instagram
  • Artribune

Sources