Jane Ingram Allen

The making of art installations that change over time and benefit the environment has become my focus as an artist. When I began doing outdoor installations in 1994, I became concerned about the environmental impact of my materials and structures. I also became convinced that nothing could ever be considered a “permanent” work of art.

Everything changes when placed outdoors because of exposure to the elements and to the processes of nature. It is also vulnerable to interaction from people and animals. I decided that I would go with this flow and make art that consciously used the natural processes and human and animal interaction as a positive contribution to the artwork. I began designing pieces that were meant to change over time and be beautiful and evocative in all phases as well as contribute positively to the environment. I am using all natural and biodegradable materials such as branches, vines, handmade paper I make from local plant waste materials and seeds to produce continually evolving artworks.  I also make indoor art installations of handmade paper, thread and other materials that are usually map-based and site specific created from materials I collect at a specific place and time to focus attention on the unique environment of that place.

I am currently living in Santa Rosa, CA and working as an independent artist, curator and art writer. I travel frequently to Taiwan for art projects and to other countries as well as doing art projects in the USA and teaching workshops. I first came to Taiwan in 2004 with a Fulbright Scholar Award, and also received another year as a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan in 2005. I was a Fulbright Specialist artist in Turkey in 2015. Visit my website at www.janeingramallen.com for more information see my Blog at http://janeingramallen.wordpress.com or see my listing at www.greenmuseum.org