Alex Allan calls this work a ‘miniature monument’ because of its references to classical sculpture and to contemporary, urban living.

Be Careful What You Wish For combines the artist’s knowledge of the history of sculpture with his experience of urban life. Several seemingly simple elements are stacked on top of one another to create a work reminiscent of civic sculpture. Yet, each material, object and shape has a specific significance.

Starting from the ground up, the work is set on a granite plinth, perhaps the most traditional starting point for a sculpture. On top of that, Plastazite, a foam that we are familiar with often used in packaging, creates a contrast in texture and a surprisingly soft feature of the work.

The concrete ball, cast from a goldfish bowl, refers to fast paced, urban construction and could also be a humorous reference to the artists’ view on the world. Finally, the ornate cut glass vase filled with children’s play balls combines domestic objects that we may find in the homes of the old and the young.

In playful and deceptively simple terms Be Careful What You Wish For spans place and time, personal and collective experience and is a veiled critique on the annuls of power, civic identity and the impact of town planning on society.

Accolades

Alex Allan has an BA and MFA in Sculpture from Edinburgh College of Art. Recent solo exhibitions include Fleek, Lust & the Apple, Midlothian and a four part exhibition at Govan Project Space, Glasgow. Alex has exhibited at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, The Chopping Block, London, The Fleming Collection, London, Catlin Art Prize, Village Underground, London, RSA New Contemporaries and the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. Alex has taken part in several residencies including, in 2019, Bothy Projects (Inshriach), Scotland.