Alex Allan
- Work
- Biography
Alongside his finely tuned antennae into current art practice and a broad appreciation of sculpture and its traditions, Alex Allan also absorbs research material from experiencing the environment around him. That is to say his identity as an artist is constructed not only through his engagement with the Art World, but by his observance and understanding of the physical realities of urban life at this point in history.
Eternal themes of political power, civic identity and town planning are examined through the aperture of a 21st century eye, elements of research and play coexist. The cultural baggage of each material is amplified to affect a complex reading of a sculpture that on the surface looks quite simple. Overall his output as an Artist seems to talk not only to the city outside but to react to and challenge the monumental traditions of both Ancient and Modern Sculpture.
Overall it could be argued his work creates a kind of urban pastoral, hinting at an idealised and artificial position. Yet critical even unsettling elements persist within the work to address issues of power, control and façade.
Alex graduated with a MFA in Sculpture from Edinburgh College of Art in 2011. More recently he has been engaged in a number of public art projects and is co-founder and operator of Govan Project Space in Glasgow, where he lives and works.
Eternal themes of political power, civic identity and town planning are examined through the aperture of a 21st century eye, elements of research and play coexist. The cultural baggage of each material is amplified to affect a complex reading of a sculpture that on the surface looks quite simple. Overall his output as an Artist seems to talk not only to the city outside but to react to and challenge the monumental traditions of both Ancient and Modern Sculpture.
Overall it could be argued his work creates a kind of urban pastoral, hinting at an idealised and artificial position. Yet critical even unsettling elements persist within the work to address issues of power, control and façade.
Alex graduated with a MFA in Sculpture from Edinburgh College of Art in 2011. More recently he has been engaged in a number of public art projects and is co-founder and operator of Govan Project Space in Glasgow, where he lives and works.
education
2009-11 MFA Sculpture – Edinburgh College of Art
2005-09 BA (Hons) Sculpture – Edinburgh College of Art
solo exhibitions
2018 That Won't Do You Any Harm, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2018 Bunk, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2018 Filler, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2018 Seconds, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2017 Blind 1, 95 Baird Road, Ratho
2016 Massive Sellout, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
2013 Adult Soft Play, The Briggait, Glasgow
2010 Way Out, Prestongrange, East Lothian
2009 Must Do Better, St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh
2008 The Sound of Water and the Sound of Mills, Edinburgh
selected group exhibitions
2020 FLOW, Visual Arts Scotland, Online
2019 The Crossover, Candid Arts, London
GPS @ TCB, The Chopping Block, London
Fleek, Lust & the Apple, Temple
2018 Abstract Reality, Saatchi Gallery, London
2017 South Side Salon, Art Park at House for an Art Lover, Glasgow
2016 Bad Idea, 249 Govan Road, Glasgow
Lite Bothy, Freemason's Hall, Edinburgh
2015 Bad Idea, Adamastor Studios, Lisbon
2012 Heartbreakers, Joey D's, Edinburgh
Static State, Summerhall, Edinburgh
Prozak Politics, Frameless Gallery, London
Static State, The Motorcycle Showroom, Bristol
2011 Scottish Summer Exhibition, The Fleming Collection, London
Municipality, Bethnal Green Library, London
Eleven - Printworks, Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh
2010 Catlin Art Prize, Village Underground, London
The Thrill and the Dread, Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh
Square Beard, Old Ambulance Depot, Edinburgh
RSA New Contemporaries, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2009 X-show, Henderson Gallery, Edinburgh
Hot Box, Lauriston Castle Glasshouse, Edinburgh
2008 Soft Spot, Henderson Gallery, Edinburgh
Glass Ceiling, OOTB Drill Hall, Edinburgh
2007 Reasonably Sized Ideas, Something Gallery, Edinburgh
residencies
2020 Hospitalfield Interdisciplinary Residency, Scotland
2019 Bothy Projects (Inshriach), Scotland
2016 Edinburgh Sculpture
2009-11 MFA Sculpture – Edinburgh College of Art
2005-09 BA (Hons) Sculpture – Edinburgh College of Art
solo exhibitions
2018 That Won't Do You Any Harm, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2018 Bunk, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2018 Filler, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2018 Seconds, part of 4* Shows, Govan Project Space, Glasgow
2017 Blind 1, 95 Baird Road, Ratho
2016 Massive Sellout, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
2013 Adult Soft Play, The Briggait, Glasgow
2010 Way Out, Prestongrange, East Lothian
2009 Must Do Better, St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh
2008 The Sound of Water and the Sound of Mills, Edinburgh
selected group exhibitions
2020 FLOW, Visual Arts Scotland, Online
2019 The Crossover, Candid Arts, London
GPS @ TCB, The Chopping Block, London
Fleek, Lust & the Apple, Temple
2018 Abstract Reality, Saatchi Gallery, London
2017 South Side Salon, Art Park at House for an Art Lover, Glasgow
2016 Bad Idea, 249 Govan Road, Glasgow
Lite Bothy, Freemason's Hall, Edinburgh
2015 Bad Idea, Adamastor Studios, Lisbon
2012 Heartbreakers, Joey D's, Edinburgh
Static State, Summerhall, Edinburgh
Prozak Politics, Frameless Gallery, London
Static State, The Motorcycle Showroom, Bristol
2011 Scottish Summer Exhibition, The Fleming Collection, London
Municipality, Bethnal Green Library, London
Eleven - Printworks, Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh
2010 Catlin Art Prize, Village Underground, London
The Thrill and the Dread, Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh
Square Beard, Old Ambulance Depot, Edinburgh
RSA New Contemporaries, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2009 X-show, Henderson Gallery, Edinburgh
Hot Box, Lauriston Castle Glasshouse, Edinburgh
2008 Soft Spot, Henderson Gallery, Edinburgh
Glass Ceiling, OOTB Drill Hall, Edinburgh
2007 Reasonably Sized Ideas, Something Gallery, Edinburgh
residencies
2020 Hospitalfield Interdisciplinary Residency, Scotland
2019 Bothy Projects (Inshriach), Scotland
2016 Edinburgh Sculpture
- Alex Allan
- Stationary
- Casting
- Alex Allan
- Woodford Street
- Drawing
- Alex Allan
- Block 2
- Casting
- Alex Allan
- Tantallon Road
- Drawing
- Alex Allan
- Fleek
- Welding
- Alex Allan
- Plunk
- Painting
- Alex Allan
- Glitch
- Mixed Media
- Alex Allan
- Closure
- Painting
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