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Much like the banana tree, which bears fruit on the outside while concealing its inner core, this artwork delves into the idea of exposing hidden truths within cultures and ourselves as human beings. Through the vessel's design, I aim to invite viewers to contemplate the layers of identity, history, and societal constructs that often remain unseen. The outer surface represents the visible, while the inner core symbolizes the concealed, prompting reflection on what lies beneath the surface of our understanding. This piece encourages a deeper exploration of the complexities that shape our experiences and perceptions, drawing parallels to the multi and the intricate layers of our own existence. Ceramics 4.5’ x 2.5’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712083905101-4IESYS2B3EXGKJA0A3JR/ErikaNJAllen-MonumenttoBananaWorkersII.jpg In Residence: Art from the Bray - Monument to Banana Workers II - 2023 The double-wall vessel inspired by banana trees serves as a metaphorical exploration of both the internal and external aspects of the sculpture. Much like the banana tree, which bears fruit on the outside while concealing its inner core, this artwork delves into the idea of exposing hidden truths within cultures and ourselves as human beings. Through the vessel's design, I aim to invite viewers to contemplate the layers of identity, history, and societal constructs that often remain unseen. The outer surface represents the visible, while the inner core symbolizes the concealed, prompting reflection on what lies beneath the surface of our understanding. This piece encourages a deeper exploration of the complexities that shape our experiences and perceptions, drawing parallels to the multi and the intricate layers of our own existence. Ceramics 4.5’ x 2.5’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712083973576-QQFPEYTP58T0WRIQI1KI/ErikaNJAllen-MonumenttoBananaWorkersIII.jpg In Residence: Art from the Bray - Monument to Banana Workers II 2023 This is a second double-walled vessel, where I continue to emphasize the significance of the interior, which is just as important as the exterior. Ceramics 2.5’ x 1’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712083992545-CSFM6L9OI6MI099MHQQO/ErikaNJAllen-Untitled.jpg In Residence: Art from the Bray - Curved 2023 This piece is also inspired by my road trip to the Archie Bray Foundation of the Ceramic Arts for my residency. It captures the often petrifying yet breathtakingly beautiful and exuberant mountain roads, where one feels as if driving through the sky amidst vast clouds. Ceramics wood fired at cone 11 17” x 12” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712084010390-1UI0QIMMOF37T5C8UYKW/ErikaNJAllen-UntitledI.jpg In Residence: Art from the Bray - Fired 2023 Ceramics Wood fired at cone 11 14” x 12” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712084015014-T4BF65X2AU2SNQB9WMYL/ErikaNJAllen-RoadtoHelena.jpg In Residence: Art from the Bray - Road to Helena 2023 Road to Helena" is a piece inspired by my road trip to the Archie Bray Foundation of the Ceramic Arts. It captures the often petrifying yet breathtakingly beautiful and exuberant mountain roads, where one feels as if driving through the sky amidst vast clouds. Ceramics wood fired at cone 11 14” x 7” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712084029015-D7WYGYF1XLOOG4TP57P7/ErikaNJAllen-36.jpg In Residence: Art from the Bray - Yellow Banana Tower 2023 Every ring of this tower was meticulously hand-built, resembling bananas while also evoking the 'barba amarilla'—the snakes that inhabit the banana farms. The "barba amarilla" refers to a species of snake commonly found in banana plantations, particularly in Central and South America where bananas are extensively cultivated. Also known as the Yellow Beard or Fer-de-Lance, this snake is venomous and poses a threat to those working in the fields. Its presence among the bananas adds an element of danger and intrigue to the agricultural landscape. In the context of artistic representation, the "barba amarilla" can symbolize the hidden perils and complexities often associated with the banana industry. Ceramics 19.5” x 10” NFS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1712084087605-TOG0IUJQ76V6F01D6P26/IMG_7867.JPG In Residence: Art from the Bray - Huckleberry 2023 This piece was inspired by the delicious flavors of the Huckleberry, a native fruit to Montana. As part of my personal rule as an artist, I cannot create representations of fruits I haven't tried without eating them first. Ceramics https://www.erikanjallen.com/about daily 1.0 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/d6b763e2-ca0d-4bef-b430-444a30d471de/ErikaNJAllen-Photo1.jpg Bio / Artist Statement - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/ee14ddef-04ac-43d4-9f92-0e8392272918/_W9A3248.jpg Bio / Artist Statement - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erikanjallen.com/pagecv daily 0.75 2026-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/035c40ec-eb49-47c7-b9ec-a0bee8bcc72b/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-27.jpg CV - Make it stand out This Is Not a Banana Republic—A Manifesto of Empire Domination, the Immigration Experience, and Empathy - Solo Show - Weston Art Gallery https://www.erikanjallen.com/reachout daily 0.75 2021-01-28 https://www.erikanjallen.com/murals daily 0.75 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/335697c8-9238-4c21-bfda-a493a99db669/ErikaNJAllen-02.jpg Murals Banana Plantation Mural - 2022 - Ceramics, house paint - 14’ x 12’ x 12’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/a904632d-8482-483a-8c9a-0a460effc3a7/ErikaNJAllen-1.jpg Murals The Banana Mural: Banana Tree Flowers - 2023 - Ceramics, house paint - 11’ x 11’ x 4’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/6ab156a3-fd51-47c3-9277-e61ebec11923/ALLERI_02.jpg Murals - Make it stand out Immigrant: Banana Mural - 2023 - Ceramics, house paint - 13’ x 12’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/4715b7b1-ff06-432c-9677-b005d77902b4/coup.jpg Murals - Make it stand out This Is Not a Coup Mural/Installation - 2022 - Ceramics, house paint, crystal https://www.erikanjallen.com/welcome daily 0.75 2024-02-13 https://www.erikanjallen.com/bananas daily 0.75 2024-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/70784dab-2a36-4f59-8b3d-7849ba5190c6/AllenErikaNJ-ThisIsNotaCoup%234.jpg Bananas https://www.erikanjallen.com/request-new-or-unlisted-works daily 0.75 2024-12-05 https://www.erikanjallen.com/this-is-not-a-banana-republic daily 0.75 2025-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/74b7dcc8-e9ff-4f28-bcd1-6c3b05e7e062/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-1.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic This Is Not a Banana Republic: A Manifesto of Empire Domination, the Immigration Experience, and Empathy. Viewers are invited into an immersive exploration of the artist's personal journey and the broader immigrant experience. This solo exhibition delves into the transformative power of art as a tool for defiance and empowerment. Beginning with the artist's poignant experience of undergoing a hysterectomy, the exhibition unfolds as a symbolic battleground depicted through clay sculptures, intricate fibers, and evocative photography. Here, the resilience of the human body stands as a defiant gesture against oppressive systems. The banana, once a simple fruit, emerges as a potent metaphor for the artist's struggle and the enduring war against the immigrant experience. Through meticulously hand-built clay sculptures, each artwork represents the unchanging element within, juxtaposed with the decaying reality symbolized by parts of the real fruit. Intertwined fibers weave tales of struggle and resilience, while photography captures moments of raw emotion and defiance. Each piece serves as a testament to the resilience of immigrant communities and the power of art to amplify marginalized voices. As visitors navigate through this artistic rebellion, they are invited to witness the beauty born from hardship and engage in a dialogue of resilience. 'This is Not a Banana Republic' stands as a beacon of hope, urging viewers to join the rebellion against societal confines. This exhibition is a call to arms, a rallying cry for empathy towards the immigration experience. It challenges viewers to educate themselves on the historical moments embedded within the banana industry and its implications on politics, economics, and global dynamics. Join the artist in this manifesto, a legacy carved from pain and a revolution ignited with art. This is a profound invitation to explore the unbreakable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity, celebrating the anthem of the marginalized, the immigrants, and the resilient. ___________________________________________ The Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery Exhibition Details June 20 - Aug 24, 2025 Born in Guatemala, and currently residing in Cincinnati, OH where she teaches at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Erika NJ Allen creates immersive mixed-media installations exploring her personal journey and the broader immigrant experience. This is Not a Banana Republic unfolds as a symbolic battleground depicted through clay sculptures, and evocative photography. Here, the resilience of the human body stands as a defiant gesture against oppressive systems. The banana, once a simple fruit, emerges as a potent metaphor for the artist's struggle and the enduring war against the immigrant experience. ___________________________________________ Photography by Wes Battoclette, courtesy of The Weston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/a41d7293-6629-47b3-a852-2970e0c81836/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-10.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/46aeaf1d-8baa-4f9a-bb4d-bf6df60148b9/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-9.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/417d9c43-b2f5-4d28-af00-2b63ce09f0da/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-4.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/0403356e-346c-4386-ad47-f4166cb67139/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-6.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/f5d57edc-2ad0-4f6c-a39c-d730df1e4971/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-5.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/1b70fed2-8dff-4e35-9307-7f39f61b0feb/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-28.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/8c95c8db-5fe2-4f12-8ec6-2c8047b3cdcf/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-27.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/af40cc40-5302-42b8-b616-100e1238f553/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-30.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/c1d1b91c-433e-4cd2-be7a-c6f2b897a965/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-31.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/d36a7b99-e6ef-4928-88be-37d41c12e3cc/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-35.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/df63967f-c7a6-4fd4-9ce6-b243e72d4227/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-34.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/cacfc812-b969-4a82-b1c0-31430a450cd6/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-37.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/3f9f555c-5dfa-4806-a3ae-b7be0600bd87/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-38.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/c026fe70-8a8b-4076-a52b-87e6be168026/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-33.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/efb6976b-2a11-4291-8dff-18cb89c0b035/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-69.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Domestic Fallout, 1837-1901, 2025 Installation Domestic Fallout Domestic Fallout brings together glowing uranium glass and ceramic bananas to explore nourishment, toxicity, and domestic life. Uranium glass, once common in kitchenware, was phased out after World War II when uranium was diverted to nuclear programs. Its ghostly glow recalls both fallout and the hidden dangers woven into everyday objects. The bananas point to another history: how United Fruit Company, now Chiquita, “civilized” the banana by shaping an image of everyday life so it could enter American homes—masking the labor and land exploitation behind its polished presentation. By using materials that once filled kitchens, the installation turns domestic objects into witnesses of history, showing how beauty and unease coexist in the things we consume. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/71a5559a-ba95-4bbd-b90c-bc1adbfd4881/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-44.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/4aa9e5bc-0b40-44ab-9ab0-892e73dadc54/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-65.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/457bd6b8-1278-4440-817e-957fbaf08deb/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-66.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/b9cd4b5c-0ecc-452a-a0c6-864e89875b26/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-46.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/db07801c-b808-48cb-81f3-4bc34228686e/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-45.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/be89b64f-8a66-4a36-8aa0-3ee250db57ee/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-55.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/5542e7f3-d0f3-4487-99b3-2b97742565b2/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-56.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/54ce0a5c-5e58-4586-97f3-cd5668dbeef2/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-53.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/cd31f6b5-c4cf-4009-ad46-ab726147aef8/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-59.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/242e852b-2ef1-4d37-afb7-0e4f2e44a774/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-58.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/6d8485d9-6896-4c64-a5fd-41370e0d1861/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-50.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/fb5a56a3-405c-4e3a-9793-0b377201d64e/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-51.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/9decad3f-6934-4d7a-be2f-d08329e4bf4e/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-52.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/b2655c76-6717-4744-8785-98ae93dd4f63/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-63.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/02e5561a-809d-4a05-96b6-6219374b8b18/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-67.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/426b6856-b0b4-4b97-a08c-8fbaf391a99d/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-70.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - 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Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/c42a1321-84f2-4c29-90f0-f9d6ce1e298b/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-49.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/4922e54e-0fa4-4b5a-80d4-85c080c1a257/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-26.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/50d7776f-d3c3-4fa3-ae90-b6e6a6938a9e/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-14.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/d5090289-985a-4a2f-a68b-715ed44b98ee/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-11.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/482d9eba-ab94-4f63-bbdd-dc58be94b6df/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-20.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/0538f146-0af9-4ab5-bbe7-60971e41cc05/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-25.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/84bf66d4-9a1f-4e55-8741-0ec1c7ed26d6/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-24.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/6fa43f7a-2121-4309-90b5-b3350a3f48c0/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-17.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/a047ba3d-0ce6-4cf2-9b4a-0eecf93fb1da/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-21.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/6f7d52f2-6705-405d-95cb-6e222d480d2c/Weston-This-Is-Not-A-Banana-Republic-Exhibition-2.jpg This Is Not a Banana Republic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erikanjallen.com/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2025-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/9fb63640-b3f8-422d-9b4e-f6c04aa29efe/IMG_3955.JPG Notations on Ritual A Fist of Gifts For this group exhibition, I present porcelain works glazed exclusively with my signature banana glaze. Each piece begins with a ritual: I first consume the fruit, a practice that allows me to transform nourishment into art. If I don’t digest it first, I cannot make it or bring it to life. These intimate acts of healing found expression in clay, as I began meticulously replicating the produce I consumed. Each piece captures impressions of real fruits, blurring the boundaries between permanence and decay, reflecting the coexistence of my body with unchanging medical implants. Friends and community members, learning of my work, have generously sought out fruits I had never encountered, gifting them so I could create these pieces. I layer the banana glaze with traditional chinapaints to show that it behaves like a conventional glaze, allowing the paints to work as expected while deepening the connection between material, ritual, and meaning. Most importantly, before applying the banana glaze, I drink it—my deepest way of becoming it, becoming the fruit, becoming art, and perhaps even feeling what it feels to be it. This body of work would not have been possible without friends who contributed fruits from their own regions and cultures: mulberries from Terry in Michigan, paw paws from Cal in Ohio, Korean pears from Sso-Rha, huckleberries from Janina in Montana, and Montana pears from Amanda—bringing new flavors, histories, and connections into my creative process. ______________________________________ The Carnegie Exhibition Details March 14 - August 16, 2025 Curated by Sso-Rha Kang Opening Reception: Friday, March 14 from 5-8pm Curator and Artist Walkthrough: Saturday, March 15 at noon This exhibition broadly explores the theme of ritual—from objects that we hold with reverence, to superstitions that dictate behavior, and systems that maintain or subvert expectations. Oscillating between the sacred and banal, rituals can take the form of gestures, words, and objects that weave between personal, professional, or cultural spaces. They can be spiritual, meaningless, self-imposed, socially regulated, strictly adhered to, or broken. Rituals are a form of world building with the ability to create atmospheres and conjure moods, which can produce tremendous affect ranging from paranoia, fear, comfort, safety, and joy. Artists: Erika NJ Allen, Rachael Banks, Brett Davis, Ceirra Evans, Calista Lyon, Hannah Parrett, Dianna Settles, Aubrey Theobald. * “Rituals can be found in an artist’s studio practice as seen in Erika NJ Allen’c ceramic fruits which are a result of exchanges in gift giving and the consumption of naturally produced glaze.” _______________________________________ Photography by Jesse Ly, courtesy of The Carnegie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/eed281b9-d682-4d20-9623-caec8c0b2492/IMG_3956.JPG Notations on Ritual https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/4543cbca-1e65-4d27-9827-d543060f4228/IMG_3957.JPG Notations on Ritual https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/74e4fee2-20f4-47da-8872-317a36402d8f/IMG_3967.JPG Notations on Ritual https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/62b782e0-10ce-4d85-8f8c-179cd6bee6b7/IMG_3968.JPG Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/922cb374-6a11-4b74-8939-354eaea0862b/IMG_3969.JPG Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/e99945bb-c8ff-4775-afd0-f491448f17cc/IMG_3970.JPG Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/75e68e3b-8096-458d-8548-68659ad44476/IMG_3966.JPG Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/ee82887b-5953-44d4-a4e8-e5b983b215cb/IMG_3958.JPG Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/a3df5fc1-d74f-426d-9f96-81000c58099c/IMG_3961.JPG Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/ad6a16df-ea13-4e7e-aa1e-3235dfe2e5e1/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_10.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/b51b0059-5c5a-4c1d-90a7-ec5b1f0ca1ce/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_39.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/32cfc5df-7154-46cb-8a3a-4212ec23cb53/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_137.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/3ebaaa76-5e5e-459e-abca-fa6b24a2cc2e/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_61.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/578ea8a5-f102-4c9b-94d3-d19c9f191177/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_148.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/71230d15-9e73-4258-8b16-33e11bf6c888/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_124.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/98bc5f5f-c48c-4dfe-a4a3-94141cdf9582/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_134.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dc1d604af1cac4001a46fd5/e8df1309-b025-4382-ad71-e7d23230e9e9/Erika+NJ+Allen+x+LIVE+SHOOT_135.jpg Notations on Ritual - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erikanjallen.com/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2026-03-22