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POWELL, Wyo. - Bozeman artist Joel Allen will be in Powell Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 28 and March 1, to work on installation pieces in Northwest Gallery and then discuss his work during an opening reception at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Primarily a sculptor and installation artist, Allen uses everyday objects in his creations. For this exhibit, titled “Left Brain Right Brain,” he’ll showcase his paintings, a recent medium for him, along with installed works.
The public is invited to watch and ask questions as he creates the installation pieces during the day Monday and Tuesday in the gallery.
Allen says his creative work “first develops from a passion and pleasure of making things. Formally, my work is a physical description of the way my thoughts feel.” He calls the process “a most splendid romance between thinking and making.”
Born in Rapid City, S.D., Allen grew up as an American nomad, constantly moving from place to place as his father’s employment required. In addition to creating art, he’s worked in engineering, construction, titanium bike fabrication and the high-tech laser industry.
Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in sculpture from Montana State University and a master’s in sculpture and installation from Washington State University.
He has taught at MSU in Billings and Bozeman, the University of Great Falls, as well as Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs.
“Left Brain Right Brain” is displayed in Northwest Gallery through April 1. Located in the Cabre Building, the gallery is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free.
