SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- The exhibition of new oil paintings and glazed porcelain delves further into Alison's style of hyper-detailed and fantastical realism. Drawn from a diverse range of influences from the Pre-Raphaelites and the Post-Impressionists, to Russian fairy tale illustration and Art Deco design, the paintings create a tension as this heritage of styles meld into a vision of another time. Displayed as a series of small installations, the paintings will be shown alongside a collection of ceramic mementos also created by the artist. The ceramics relate to the narrative of each piece and are mirrored in the paintings. These actualized relics further envelop the viewer into the painting's scene.

Story and character development are an increasingly significant component to Alison's work. The show will be the first chapter in a series of "History of Magic" exhibitions, which will tell the tale of a mystic who lives alone in the woods and sets out on a journey to create a mysterious object that will change the world. In part a creation myth with roots in folklore, the story achieves mythology as a "reverse Pandora's box" and stems from the artists interest in these moralizing fables that have persevered throughout human history.

The show takes its title from a nineteenth-century French book on sacred imagery and mysticism. As the first chapter, "The Hermitage" relates to the spiritual component of Alison's work, as a type of monastery space that combines work and devotion. The installations themselves can be seen as altarpieces, in reference to the nature of her art practice and her childhood in a Wiccan home.

Artist Statement
My paintings let me live out fantasies through characters I create. These stories often involve my desire to feel a connection to something bigger than myself-- to nature, to my ancestors, or to a sense of spirituality. I’ve created an alter ego who appears as a recurring protagonist in my paintings. This imaginary version of me is who I wish I could be-- a strong, fearless hero engaged in exploration and adventures.

I like to daydream about living in the woods, being completely at home in the wilderness, and having an intuitive understanding of the living things around me. In reality, when I find myself in a forest or in a desert canyon, I don't have the profound sense of belonging that I expect. Instead I feel like a spectator in a beautiful, mysterious world that is not mine. It's too far removed from the world I beling to. A deep connection to nature is at odds with our current culture, but I want to be a part of both of them. An aspect of my work explores the question-- how can we stay in touch with the wild parts of ourselves while living within the order of a “civilized” way of life?

My family is full of eccentrics. A chat on the phone may involve topics like shamanism, animal guides, wicca, tree-sitting, talking to plants, or hypnotherapy. People often turn to these kinds of practices for a sense of belonging and meaning that is lacking in our culture. While my logical side can't help but judge these practices as wishful thinking, part of me believes they are real. They offer the potential for the world to be a fantastical place. My work touches on the conflict between my attraction to mystical tradition, and my skepticism of it.