Heather Allison

For as long as I can remember I have been preoccupied with human mortality. However, it was my own personal experience with the unexpected loss of my father due to complications with chemotherapy that initially inspired me to turn my focus toward fine art and the still life genre, with an emphasis on grief.

This exploration led to the creation of my body of work titled "Awaken." where I indulge my fixation and construct vanitas tableaux that reflect on death - a once normalized approach to acknowledging mortality and appreciating the beauty of life. Through carefully crafted still life photographs, digitally captured, and brimming with hidden messages, iconography, and expressions of color, I seek connection to the deceased and delve into the complexities of grief. In doing so, I reclaim and elevate the categorization of still life as an art form.

The images from this body of work offer an intimate experience for the viewer, encouraging inner contemplation on our ever-evolving relationship with the transient nature of life. They also provide a safe space for mourning and connection. When you encounter someone who has experienced grief as vou have, everything changes.

In summary, my work aims to break the silence surrounding gri...

MFA Photography, Academy of Art University
BFA Art History, Academy of Art University
AA Brooks Institute of Photography

The Altar Room, Sacramento, California, December 2024
Samahin, RirtualCravft Gallery Space, Denver, Colorado, October 2024
Sattchi Art, The Other Art Fair, Los Angeles, California, September 2024
Red Dot Miami with Jen Tough Gallery, Miami, Florida, December 2023
Art San Diego with Jen Tough Gallery, San Diego, California, November, 2023
Saatchi Art, The Other Art Fair, Los Angeles, California, September, 2023
Color Burst: Contemporary Photography, Black Box Gallery, Portland, Oregon, June 2023
Spring Show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California, May 2023
Made in California Exhibition, Brea Gallery, Brea, California, April 2023
Umma Gallery, Oakland, March 2023
The Mutter Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 2022
Guardians of Dreams, M.A.D.S Gallery, Millan, Italy, October 2022
Focus Art Fair, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France, September 2022
Shoutflower 3, Liliput Galería Experimental, Mexico City, Mexico, June 2022
Shoutflower 3, Philiput Gallery SOSNA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 2022
Art is Dead, Exhibit A Gallery, Los Angeles California, October 2021
Heart of Darkness, Windigo Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin, October 2021
HereAfter, The HeART Box Gallery, Flagstaff, Arizona, November 2020
Awakened by M...