Introduction
British contemporary artist Jess Allen unveils her latest exhibition, There’s A World Out There, in the captivating landscape of Château La Coste in Provence, France. Allen is known for her singular ability to illuminate the profound within the mundane, and her latest series continues to explore solitude, security and the sublime within everyday life.
Following on from Allen’s breakthrough show, This is Now, with the gallery last year, the artist continues to cement her place as an increasingly compelling voice in contemporary British art. Her paintings encourage viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between external façades and internal experiences – reminding us that our most profound journeys often unfold in the quiet, familiar spaces we call home.
“In this exhibition, There’s A World Out There, 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,” says Allen. “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 a life beyond security.”
Set amid the picturesque landscapes and rolling vineyards of Provence, Château La Coste is celebrated for its unique blend of art and life, integrating art installations and world-class architecture seamlessly into 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.
This sleek, light-filled pavilion not only highlights Allen’s introspective paintings but also underscores the exhibition’s central themes of refuge, introspection, and the push-and-pull of the world beyond.
By staging There’s A World Out There in this remarkable setting, Jess Allen offers a truly immersive experience: her exploration of emotional well-being and solitude resonates within an architectural masterpiece dedicated to creativity and reflection. 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.
Selected Works
Jess Allen
do we read to feel we are not alone?
2025
135 x 180 cm
Jess Allen
there’s a world out there
2024
152.4 x 188.8 cm
Jess Allen
an almost cloudless sky
2025
135 x 180 cm
Jess Allen
even when I sleep
2024
120 x 160 cm
Jess Allen
the passage of time
2024
120 x 150 cm
Jess Allen
in my own world
2025
120 x 150 cm
Private View
Experience Jess Allen’s latest exhibition in the breathtaking setting of Château La Coste — a unique destination in the heart of Provence, where contemporary art, architecture, and nature come together alongside vineyards, hotels, and world-class dining.
Join us for the opening reception at the Richard Rogers Gallery, on Saturday 1 March, 12 – 2 pm.
Château La Coste
2750 Route De La Cride,
Aix-en-Provence
France
RSVP is essential via the link below.
Collecting
Biography
Jess Allen (b. 1966) is a contemporary British artist based in Cornwall. She studied at Camberwell College of Arts and Falmouth School of Art. Her practice is centred around domestic objects and locating the sublime in the seemingly mundane. She explores the gulf between our exterior façades and inner worlds, allowing us to glimpse the varying degrees of chaos and order that may lie behind doors.
Her recent solo exhibitions include This is Now, Unit, (2024); Like Dust the Shadows Remain, Scroll Gallery, New York (2023); Nobody’s Watching, Blue Shop Gallery, London (2022) and Books and Boxes, Blue Shop Cottage, London (2021). In 2023 she featured in international group exhibitions that include Through the Window, Sens Gallery, Hong Kong; Kiaf Art Fair, Gallery Mark, Seoul, South Korea; The Angel in the House, Studio West Gallery, London and Untold Stories, G/ART/EN Gallery, Como, Italy.
Allen’s works are held in the public collections of the Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins (FAMM), France; Bunker Foundation (Rudin De Woody Collection), USA; Elie Khouri Art Foundation, Dubai, UAE; Sigg Art Foundation, Le Castellet, France; and The Corridor Foundation, China.
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