Spanning a wide range of materials including bronze, parota wood, various types of marble, obsidian, and stalagmite, Alma Allen’s work retains a singularly distinctive energy and aesthetic. From sinuously thin bronze structures to magmatic, smooth marble outpourings, Allen’s biomorphic forms appear to rise effortlessly from their materials, as if emerging organically from the earth itself. His artistic journey began humbly—selling hand-carved miniatures on the streets of Soho, New York—and gained critical recognition with his acclaimed presentation at the Whitney Biennial in 2014.

Largely self-taught, Allen's practice possesses a spontaneity and vitality that sets it apart from dominant artistic movements of the present day. Formally—and perhaps spiritually—his work resonates more with the vast natural landscapes and monolithic geological formations that have shaped his life: Utah, where he was raised; Joshua Tree, California, where he lived for many years; and Tepoztlán, Mexico, where he now works, roughly 80 kilometres from Mexico City. Rocks, branches, and other ambiguous biomorphic forms, charged with a kind of primordial energy, dominate his exhibitions. Despite their monumental weight and scale, these objects exude a striking levity and quiet grace.

Recent solo exhibitions include Mendes Wood DM & Van Buuren Museum & Gardens, Brussels (2021); Kasmin Gallery, New York (2020); Blum & Poe, Los Angeles (2019); Shane Campbell Gallery, Chicago (2016); Heath Ceramics, Los Angeles (2009); and Hoodoos by Alma Allen, Play Mountain, Tokyo (2009).