The erotic work of Allen is especially from one perspective different from other art displayed on The Art of Love. He is one of those artists that doesn’t use only young perfect models in his work.
He uses models from different ages, and sometimes even models that are not mainstream attractive to the general adult public. I sure know that what people may find attractive or sensual is a very personal thing. But I’m curtain that what we see in the works of Allen is just as we normal people are looking underneath. At least the most of us.
I think it is one of the things that gives the photo’s a great power and expression. The sexuality displayed here is something we can reference with, what we recognize as ‘real’. Fragile but also strong, confronting and subtle at the same time. These contradictions are making it stand out of what we know, makes us looking a second time.
Besides his photography Allen also works on more conceptual projects that are related to the human sexuality. He has made series of small installations where he uses condoms filled with objects. These installations have in my opinion the same depth as the photo’s made by this artist. There is a first impression, you see a set of objects that you recognize for what they are. When you look again you are going to ask yourself why, at this point you reflect to your own experience and integrated images to attach your personal viewpoint to it. I’m not going to fill in the idea of what these works are meaning for you. You have to take the challenge yourself.
Artist statement:
I am a UK based artist and I studied design, photography and video in Leicester and after a gap I have resumed my fine art work in photography and video and has now embarked on various visual projects. I won first prize in the Kodak Magnificent Seven photography competitions both in 1986 and 1987. My interest is in the numerous forms that a human body can create. I also aim to address its sensual link to sexual identity and notions of personal relationships. The focus is mainly on female body as I seek to express its beauty, celebrate and provoke its primal influence to human psyche. The viewpoints of my photographs are often selective and close up. My idea is to evoke the core beauty and sensuality of a person or a body yet the same time display the image in an uncompromising angle. My work can sometimes be described as provocative, challenging the viewers to examine their own ways of perceiving. My other photographic projects are normally based on certain social or environmental issues. My practice also extends to video and conceptual projects, these are usually my reflection to the world around, be it social, political or environmental issues and are usually highly symbolic.
Allen is looking for models to work with and also for opportunities to display his work. If you are interested contact the artist by e-mail or at his website. His e-mail address is: reikimanuk@hotmail.com And his website can be found over here
