Outsider Artist Takes on Venice Biennale Stage

U.S. artist Alma Allen, a self-taught sculptor working in Mexico, is preparing for his exhibition at the Venice Biennale. Allen, who acknowledges being an outsider in the art world, faces critical scrutiny on this major contemporary art stage. The Biennale's opening is overshadowed by a selection process described as "opaque," with some institutions reportedly avoiding the commission due to concerns about administrative politics. Allen's exhibition, titled "Call Me the Breeze," features a dozen new pieces alongside works from the last two decades, reflecting his resilience. He created a bronze evil eye sculpture, humorously intended to ward off bad vibes. Described as "a pawn" by some observers, Allen maintains that the Trump administration has not interfered with his art, stating, "My art is not propaganda." His journey to Venice includes past homelessness and a 2014 Whitney Biennial participation.