Visual Artist
Allison Barnes is an emerging Canberra based mixed media artist. She is interested in the built environment; broader environmental issues and the institutions people use to manage human activities. Her work often incorporates the use of waste and found materials.
After completing a Certificate 4 in Visual Arts at Canberra Institute of Technology Allison graduated from the Australian National University School of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honours in 2021.
Prior to graduation Allison exhibited at the Canberra Contemporary Art Space Members Show (2016, 2022, M16 Gallery Chutespace (2020), the Long Way Round Exhibition at Ambush Gallery (2019), the Inner North Art Prize (finalist, 2018), and the ANU Random Exhibition (2017).
Allison was awarded four 2021 ANU School of Art & Design Emerging Artist Support Scheme (EASS) Awards including the ACT Legislative Assembly Prize; the Megalo Print Studio Residency Award; the Altenburg & Co Gallery Exhibition Award; and the Art Monthly Australasia Subscription Award.
In 2022 Allison was included in the Megalo Print Studio National graduate online exhibition FUTURE PROOF of twenty-one emerging printmakers from across Australia and New Zealand. She participated in Carved (a 2022 collaborative exhibition project between Thor’s Hammer and Megalo Print Studio which explored the use of salvaged and recycled timbers as matrix, surface, support, or inspiration to develop new works in print media) and Translations, a joint exhibition at the CCAS space in Manuka.
In 2023 Studio Altenburg held a solo exhibition of Allison’s Lost series of paintings and her work was included in the ACT Legislative Assembly Speaker’s Award 2019–2021 Exhibition. Three of her works were acquired for inclusion in the ACT Legislative Assembly Art Permanent Collection.
In November 2023 Allison received the Capital Arts Patrons Organisation Boris Property Emerging Artist Award.
In June 2024 Allison will hold a solo exhibition at the CCAS space in Manuka.
