Meet Lauren E. Allen | Artist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren E. Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren E., can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I have been thinking a lot about family legacy in my work recently and really resonated with this question. The core of all of my work is centered around mental health and neurodivergence. As a victim of being diagnosed in the 90s (I say this with humor, not angst) I’ve found that my experiences resonate with others. I was very fortunate to be raised by two loving parents who had the financial resources and time to seek me psychiatric care and tools to be successful in school and life. As society continues to have conversations around mental health, neurodivergence and equity I continue to push myself to share my experiences with vulnerability.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work is an exploration of the psychological aspects that influence our ideas of self. Utilizing abstracted photographic imagery and fiber, viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own conscious and unconscious identity.
I am currently in the process of moving to a new studio space which will allow me to set up and utilize my 48” Macomber floor loom. I haven’t had the opportunity to weave this large before and am excited to go up in scale. I am also excited to return to working in the dark room this fall and always look forward to developing more film.
I completed undergraduate school in December of 2014 with my BFA in studio art with a concentration in photography. At the time I was in an emotionally abusive relationship which heavily affected the decisions I made when it came to my career. I went on to have a successful career in commercial printing. After some time I ended up leaving that relationship which allowed me to meet my husband. Though I had a successful career and was making a living wage, I was miserable. I would come home everyday, eat dinner and then get in bed before going to sleep around eight o’clock. Adrian knew that I had previously been interested in graduate school but had not pursued it because of my previous relationship. He told me to give it a shot, so i did. My mental health was probably at its lowest it’s ever been and though I had plans to apply to more than one university, I was only able to complete one application. After seven years, I was accepted to the University of North Texas and began graduate school.
A Masters in Fine Arts is the terminal degree for my field and my program was an intensive three year program where I also was able to teach part time. Grad school is difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it. It is an all consuming force that pushes you to consume, discover and reinvent yourself wrapped in a whirlwind of pressure and deadlines. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever accomplished. I’m very fortunate for the connections and friendships I made during that time that have allowed me to move forward within the artworld and higher education. I am currently a full time adjunct in DFW with aspirations of tenure.
The biggest take away for me, was that the right thing happens in its own time. If I had been in the position to go to graduate school right after undergrad like I had wanted, I don’t think I would have been as successful as I am. I would not have met my husband, my best friends or finally received a correct mental health diagnosis. I would not be able to make the art I make today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I originally moved to DFW in 2010 and the saying that all there is to do in Dallas is eat and drink always rings in my mind. I will say, I love Deep Ellum. Specifically Trinity Cider – now with Picadera. I have many fond memories there and always jump to take my friends. If a great show was happening I would take them to Three Links or The Trees with a mandatory stop at Dots Hop House. I’ve lived all over the metroplex but there are so many wonderful places to eat and celebrate, it would really depend on where we were staying.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It would be hard to list all those who have helped me to get to where I am today. I underestimated how challenging the first year or so after graduate would be and offer my immense gratitude to my husband, Adrian Reagan and my dear friend and fellow artist Shannon West.

Website: https://www.laureneallenart.com/

Instagram: @leallen_art