Allen Emhoff's Work

I seldom go to my studio knowing what will result. I am influenced by atmospheres drawn from philosophical, spiritual, cultural, musical and ethnic influences, and the meanings ultimately revealed in my work sometimes are pleasant surprises. My recent works are constructions of thermoplastic media, and often reflect subtle ironies. I am pleased most when I create forms that include messages, while leaving space for interpretation.

Currently I am returning to my foundry roots, casting bronze with the lost plastic process that I helped pioneer. My personal collection includes lost Styrofoam sand-cast bronze and aluminum work from many years ago. I enjoy 3D sketching, shaping, adding and subtracting until a form is correct. This results in sculptural art that is, at times, intellectually complex. At other times, it is without overt meaning, and is little more than the result of creative play, not unlike improvisation at the piano. I try to be true to both genres without apology.

Allen Emhoff is a West Seattle resident whose formal studies in the arts focused on classical music. He played principal trumpet for symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles in the Northwest. However, as a child he was fascinated by the visual arts and felt most rewarded by making sculpture which he has long considered his forte.

Allen’s family’s ownership in a Yakima, Washington foundry gave him access to materials and processes he used to produce his early lost Styrofoam sand-cast aluminum and bronze works. He currently uses HDPE and ABS plastic as a finished product as well as a casting medium for bronze and aluminum. He also enjoys painting on unique materials and has both two and three dimensional works in private collections in the U.S. and Japan.

Selected exhibitions:

· Bronze Age Exhibition, Tashiro Kaplan Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2012

· United States Canada Peace Anniversary Association Sculpture Invitational, Blaine, WA, 2011

· Maryhill Museum Sculpture Invitational, Maryhill, WA, 2007

· Peggy Lewis Gallery, Yakima, WA, “Dialogue,” 2007

· Scott Pitcairn Gallery, Seattle, WA, group exhibit 2006

· 3rd Annual West Edge Sculpture Invitational, Seattle, WA, 2006

· 2nd Annual West Edge Sculpture Invitational, Seattle, WA, 2005

· Eighth Annual Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition, Blaine, WA, 2005

· Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA, “Art Outside,” 2005-2006

· Edmonds Art Walk, Edmonds, WA, 2005

· Center on Contemporary Art members’ exhibit, Seattle, WA, 2004-2005

· South Seattle Community College, Seattle, WA, “Arts of the Community,” 2004

· Arts of the Terrace, Mountlake Terrace, WA, 2004

· On The Edge Sculpture Invitational, Seattle, WA, 2004

· Center on Contemporary Art, Seattle, WA, “Little Things,” 2003