Sculptor Alma Allen has officially joined Perrotin, a move that follows his high-profile departure from former galleries Mendes Wood DM and Olney Gleason. The transition comes as Allen prepares to represent the United States at the 2026 Venice Biennale with the exhibition "Alma Allen: Call Me the Breeze," curated by Jeffrey Uslip. The artist reportedly split with his previous representation after they opposed his acceptance of the Biennale commission under the current political climate.
This appointment is significant due to the controversy surrounding the 2026 U.S. Pavilion, which has been shaped by State Department mandates restricting DEI-related content. Allen’s move to a mega-gallery like Perrotin provides him with the necessary institutional and financial backing to navigate a politically charged commission. It also highlights a growing tension in the art world between state-sponsored representation and the political stances of commercial galleries.