Alma Allen Joins Perrotin Gallery

The sculptor's move to the mega-gallery raises eyebrows after his controversial Venice Biennale selection under Trump.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:24pm

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Alma Allen, a Utah-born, Mexico-based sculptor, has joined the roster of the French gallery Perrotin, which has outposts in Paris and New York. Allen's move to the mega-gallery comes after he faced backlash for representing the United States at the Venice Biennale under the Trump administration's controversial selection process. Some critics have accused Allen's work of being 'antiseptic' and 'politically vacant'.

Why it matters

Allen's decision to work with Perrotin has drawn scrutiny, as many feel he crossed an ethical line by accepting the State Department's nomination to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale during the Trump era, when the administration was pushing for art promoting 'American exceptionalism' and censoring exhibitions confronting the country's violent legacy. This move raises questions about the compromises artists may make to gain representation by a major gallery.

The details

Alma Allen's former galleries, Mendes Wood and Olney Gleason, reportedly dropped the artist after he accepted the State Department's nomination to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale. Critics have accused Allen's work of being 'antiseptic' and 'politically vacant,' suggesting it aligned with the Trump administration's agenda. In response to the backlash, Allen has dismissed the criticism as biased against his 'working-class' and 'self-taught' origins.

  • In 2025, Alma Allen accepted the State Department's nomination to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale under the Trump administration.
  • In 2026, Alma Allen joined the roster of the French gallery Perrotin, which has outposts in Paris and New York.

The players

Alma Allen

A Utah-born, Mexico-based sculptor who recently joined the roster of the French gallery Perrotin after facing backlash for representing the United States at the Venice Biennale under the Trump administration.

Perrotin

A French gallery with outposts in Paris and New York that has announced the addition of Alma Allen to its roster.

Mendes Wood

A former gallery that reportedly dropped Alma Allen after he accepted the State Department's nomination to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale.

Olney Gleason

A former gallery that reportedly dropped Alma Allen after he accepted the State Department's nomination to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration was accused of pushing for art promoting 'American exceptionalism' and censoring exhibitions confronting the country's violent legacy.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This case highlights the ethical dilemmas artists may face when seeking representation by major galleries, particularly in politically charged environments. It raises questions about the compromises artists may make to advance their careers and the potential consequences of aligning with controversial agendas.