Heather Allen

For 15 years, I made small-scale figures, initially self-portraits, presenting moments of decision-making inherent in the realisation of an individual’s potential actions. James Hillman’s concept of ‘polytheistic psychology’ clarified for me some thoughts I had about the use of multiple representations of myself:
…..
‘Polytheistic psychology refers to […] the location of conscious-
ness in multiple figures and centres.’ (Hillman: A Blue Fire, p. 44)

He’s saying that within each person exist many potential selves capable of finding meaningful expression. He doesn’t mean pathological fragmentation - Jekyll and Hyde; rather, for him the ‘soul’ has many sources of meaning, value and direction at its disposal. The double lives and alter egos of e.g., Isak Dinesen and Fernandez Pessoa give expression to a different part of the personality that emerges to function creatively.

My abstract sculptures and paintings since 2014 also explore this multiplicity but from an internal perspective. They emerge intuitively from the subconscious, and my decisions about form and colour are more visceral than intellectual. Every one of these more or less subconscious decisions is visible in the composition of the final image, which presents quasi a ...

BA (Hons) Fine Art & Art History, Reading University, UK

MA Fine Art - Combined Media, Chelsea School of Art, London, UK

Postgraduate Certificate in Art Education, Manchester Polytechnic, UK

Solo/two-person shows

2024:
Neo-Geo, Projektraum Blah Blah, Berlin

2022:
Here to there and back – again, Kurt-Kurt Projektzentrale, Berlin

2018:
Here to there and back, Projektraum Blah Blah, Berlin

Once upon a Time, with Thomas Henriksson, Projektraum Blah Blah, Berlin

2015:
Comin’ round the mountain or what the hell?!, with Katrin Hoffert, Galerie Axel Obiger, Berlin

kurz-kurz in Kurt-Kurt, with Thomas Henriksson, Kurt Kurt Projektzentrale, Berlin

2012:
Alius Mundus, Kunsthalle m3, Berlin

2011:
Plastische Werke, BBG, Berlin

2009:
Climb, Waygood, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

2008:
Line up and be, berlin art scouts, Berlin

The House at Egg Stream, Video Space, Galerie Herrmann & Wagner, Berlin

2007:
Balcony, Oasenschatten with Jan Philip Scheibe, Kurt-Kurt Projekzentrale, Berlin

Cellar, Pince Galeria, Budapest

Kunstblock 1, Advotec, Giessen

2006:
Where is she, and who did the work?, Galerie Perpetuel, Frankfurt/Main

Der Esel ist Tot, with Julia Oschatz, Heimspiel, Frankfurt/Main

2005:
What didn’t happen to me in Berlin, ARP, Galerie Hermann & Wagner, Berlin

Heather Allen, Forum-1822, Frankfurt/Main

Heather Allen, Stadt Galerie, Fellbach

2003:
Ain’t she sweet…?, Zagreus Projekt, Berlin

2002:
Eva und der Teufel, ...