Arden Allman
Born 2003, Philadelphia, PA
BFA with Thesis in Visual Critical Studies School of the Art Institute of Chicago 2025
Living and Working in Chicago, IL
Arden Allman is a sculpture maker, poet, musician, writer and friend. Arden finds themselves working in wood, steel, cast bronze, iron, aluminum, prose, poems, music, parties and performances. Arden’s works are components and furnishings, ornamental monuments of an alternative world. A world that queerly collapses lineages that they feel included. Lineages of divine rabble-rousers, like Rimbaud, the Gnostics, Claude Cahun, John Sex, Steve Abbott, CA Conrad, and many other poet-artist-activist-hustler types. Allman appreciates the ability of familiar objects to receive incantations that allow them to have specific autonomy as art objects. Arden is based in Chicago, Illinois.
For inquiries, commissions, chats and more please email: [email protected]
CV
Exhibitions / Performances / Readings
2025
New Now (featured performer) Chicago, IL
“Epistolary Thinking” for General Readings at Cafe Mustache (featured reader) Chicago, IL
Winnemac Poetry Project (featured reader) Chicago, IL
Mile’s Place (featured performer) Philadelphia, PA
2024
“It Ain’t That Funny” by Arkee Chaney at Walls Turned Sideways (co-curator) Chicago, IL
Rabbit “Little Grey Cat” EP Release Show at Fallen Log (featured performer, organizer) Chicago, IL
Trans Artist Coalition’s Mutual Aid BBQ (featured performer, organizer) Chicago, IL
2023
“If I sneeze in a forest, and no one says bless you, does my soul still go to heaven?” at Comfort Station (group) Chicago, IL
“A Portrait of Perfect Grief” at Superkana (group) Chicago, IL
Grouplove at Intersect Art Space (featured performer) Chicago, IL
“Iridescent Footprints” at The Center on Halsted (group) Chicago, IL
2021
“Roots Before Branches” (group) at Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia, PA
Residencies / Scholarships / Awards
2025
The Chairmaker’s Toolbox at Lost Art Press (scholarship recipient)
Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden (artist in residence)
2024
World Less Traveled Fund (recipient)
2023
Oxbow School of Art (scholarship recipient)
2021
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (4-year Merit Scholarship Recipient)
Publications / Releases / Press
2025
“Transubstantiate! (Believing Objects” Thesis in Visual Critical Studies, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2024
“Little Grey Cat” EP, Rabbit, self-released
2023
LGBTQ Seniors, College Students Come Together In Lakeview Art Exhibit That Tells ‘Stories And Glories Of Our Lives’ Block Club Chicago
2021
"Youth podcast centers mental health, LGBTQ issues" Philadelphia Gay News