Justin D Allen — Minneapolis, MN
Rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and visual literacy, Justin Allen’s work extends in unexpected directions, involving people and places that may seem to have few links to the contemporary art world. In addition to photography, he uses video, sound, sculpture, and performance to facilitate points of connection for viewers. His work drifts in and out of concrete meaning, asking the viewer to fill in the gaps with their own associations and life experiences.
Firebird, Justin’s most recent work, confronts the fallibility of memory and the deeply human behaviors caused by the loss of a loved one. In this case, the work finds an entry point to talk about these themes through the loss of Justin’s dad to melanoma in 2009. The work examines how the ripple of his dad’s life continues to reach out in curious and unexpected ways. Using an unlikely entry point (the scientific study of the cosmos) and a playful sense of humor, Justin begins to unravel what happens to the mind and body when it encounters such heavy loss. From this central point, the work expands in many directions (and many books) and asks questions such as: What stories are we supposed to tell about our loved ones who have passed? What is the role of our loved ones' possessions after they've gone? Why does loss feel so different to every person? What does it mean to carry on a "legacy"?
Education & Professional background
2021 - 2025 MFA, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2016 - 2021 Photo Lab Assistant, Century College, White Bear Lake, MN.
2010 - 2016. BFA, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Bachelors of Fine Arts, Photography Emphasis, Department of Art.
Minors in Art History and Graphic Technologies.
2013-2016 Photo Lab Monitor, Photography Lab, UNI. 2013 - 2016.
2013 Intern, Ackerman-Gruber Images. Minneapolis, MN
Exhibitions, Residencies, & Opportunities
2025
see through love, MFA Thesis Exhibition
Catherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Book Accession - Ft. Michael, Found Roll, Roadsong, Many Hot Suns
Minneapolis Central Library Special Collections, Minneapolis, MN
With Liberty and Care For All, Northside Artspace Lofts
Minneapolis, MN
2024
FotoMatter 1.0, Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester, MN
Multiple Titles, Works by Second Year MFA Students.
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Art Faculty Plus 1, UNI Faculty and Selected Alumni
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
2023
Forgetting, Group Exhibition
Fitch Studios, Des Moines, IA
Benton Projects Residency
Benton, Wisconsin, July 2023
Mudhouse Artist Residency and Exhibition
Agios Ioannis, Crete, Greece, June 2023
2022
Book Accession - House of Clocks
Rosemary Furtak Artist Book Collection, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Fresh Works Group Exhibition
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, August & September 2022
House of Clocks Solo Exhibition
Fredericksburg, Iowa, July 2022
Future Perfect Collaborative Exhibition with Forrest Wasko
MirrorLab, Minneapolis, MN, June 2022
‘What Shall I Love If Not The Enigma?’ Masterclass with Jason Fulford
ISSP International Masterclass, October 2019 - June 2022
2021
Rewriting a Personal Narrative with Diana Markosian Fotofilmic Masterclass, January & February 2021.
Based on a True Story with Gus Powell Fotofilmic Masterclass, February 2021.
2020
Photography, Concept, Narrative, & The Book Form with Christian Patterson
Fotofilmic 6-Week Masterclass, September & October 2020.
2019
The Smiling Museum, Exhibiting Artist & Co-Curator
Century College Niche Gallery, October 2019 - December 2019.
2018
Open Door 14, Group Show
Rosalux Gallery, December 2018.
Super Short Spooky Show, Group Show
The Show Gallery Lowertown, October 2018.
Wolf Ridge, Artist Residency
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, March 2018.
Memorial, Solo Exhibition
120 Gallery, Inver Hills Community College. December 2017 - January 2018.
2017
The Vault, Solo Exhibition
Dan Gable National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. 2017.
The Vault, Solo Exhibition
Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo, Iowa. 2017.
2016
Memorial, BFA Solo Exhibition
UNI Gallery, University of Northern Iowa. 2016.
Annual Department of Art Juried Student Exhibition,
UNI Gallery, University of Northern Iowa. 2016.
XXX Books Books Books XXX, Group Exhibition.
Ames C.art, Public Space One and Design on Main Gallery, Ames, Iowa. 2016.
2015
Cedar Valley Biennial, Group Exhibition.
Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo, IA. 2015.
Untitled, Solo Exhibition, Rod Library, FPAC, University of Northern Iowa. 2015.
Department of Art Scholarship, University of Northern Iowa, One-semester scholarship. 2015.
Annual Department of Art Juried Student Exhibition - UNI Gallery, University of Northern Iowa. Guillaume Award, Merit Award and Purchase Award. 2015.
Facts About Nudism - Group Exhibition, College of Humanities Arts and Sciences Deans Triangle Gallery, UNI. 2015.
2014
The Vault - Solo Exhibion, Dan Gable National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Waterloo, IA. 2014.
2013
Group Exhibition - 220 East Gallery, Waterloo, IA. 2013.
Faces of Our Farmers - Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa, UNI Dining Centers, Hearst Center for the Arts. Commissioned by Buy Fresh, Buy Local initiative. 2013.
2012
Area Show: 42 - Group Exhibition, MacNider Art Museum, Mason City, IA 2012.
Annual Department of Art Juried Student Exhibition - UNI Gallery, University of Northern Iowa. Purchase Award and Merit Award. 2012.