Following on from Allen’s breakthrough show, This is Now, with Unit last year, the artist continues to cement her place as a compelling voice in contemporary British art. Her paintings remind us that our most profound journeys often unfold in quiet, unassuming spaces: either our own homes, or our own heads. At the heart of Allen’s new collection is the tension between solitude’s comforting embrace and the fear of isolation. The artist has developed her use of the self-portrait from previous series, and it now plays a central role in Allen’s visualisation of this duality, operating both as a vehicle to channel universal emotional states and as a protagonist facing intimately personal dilemmas.
Allen describes her recurring motifs of shadow figures as “a second presence” in many of her paintings. Sometimes these shadows suggest companionship or memory; in other moments, they signify the mental mirage of thoughts that shape our realities. Or are they shadows of the viewer themselves, caught in the act of stopping to look into the world of the painting? This dynamic interplay between physical and imagined figures underscores the dual nature of human experience: we physically live in the present, but are mentally trapped either in remembrance of the past or contemplation of the future.
The exhibition is staged within the picturesque landscape of Château La Coste, Provence, a place celebrated for its seamless integration of art installations and world-class architecture into the local nature. At the heart of the property lies the Richard Rogers Gallery, an architectural statement in its own right. Cantilevered dramatically over the hillside, this steel-framed structure – one of the final completed works by the illustrious architect Richard Rogers – provides a 27-meter-long exhibition space that appears to float amidst the Provençal landscape.
By staging There’s A World Out There in this remarkable setting, Jess Allen offers a truly immersive experience; the sleek, light-filled pavilion not only highlights Allen’s introspective paintings but also underscores the exhibition’s central themes of refuge, interiority, and the push-and-pull of the world beyond. The resulting synergy draws viewers deeper into Allen’s conversation about the subtle forces – both internal and external – that shape our sense of security and belonging.
“In this exhibition I am exploring feelings relating to the inner self and our emotional well-being, and how these can be connected to a sense of place. In particular, the home is used as a metaphor, acting as protector and comforter. Sofas slept upon are almost womb-like, providing an escape from the threat of life beyond security.” – Jess Allen
About Unit Unit is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of creativity as a fundamental human force. Since the gallery’s inception in 2013, it has been committed to amplifying contemporary artistic voices to ensure their vital contributions to creativity continue to inspire, challenge and enrich the world. The gallery’s mission is to identify and maximise the reach and impact of gifted artists by engaging new audiences and increasing accessibility to their work. Headquartered in Mayfair, London, the gallery has been responsible for developing the careers of numerous important international contemporary artists.
About Château La Coste Situated in one of France's oldest wine-growing regions, between the historic town of Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon National Park, Château La Coste is a vineyard where wine, art and architecture coexist in harmony. Since it opened to the public in 2011, Château La Coste has invited visitors to discover over forty major works of contemporary art installed outdoors and in five galleries spread across its 200 hectares of natural surroundings. Every year, artists and architects are invited to visit the estate and discover the unique beauty of this Provencal landscape, with its famous cypress trees, parassol pines, olive groves and centuries-old oaks. They are given the freedom to create a specific work in an area of the site that inspires them, so that Château La Coste continues to evolve as new projects and facilities are developed