In this new body of work, Julie Allen has created sweets and savories sewn by hand in silk organza, vinyl and plastic. The sculptures are of desserts and first courses, ranging from banana splits and chocolate sundaes to salads, with their multitudinous ingredients, and even a hamburger. They are extraordinary in
their details, with great attention given to the ornamentation: embroidered and
knotted seeds in kiwis and strawberries; minute stitches used to create a pert
banana; and a three-dimensional ring of onion nestled in an embroidered sesame-encrusted bun, all sewn from lightweight fabrics and thread. While commenting on desire and consumption, the works also possess a great sense of
humor and playfulness, and hark back to childhood experiences of family and ritual.

Julie Allen is well known for her skillfully sewn sculptures. Whether lingerie, shoes, and purses made from foil, wax paper, and candy, birthday cakes made from
rubber balloons, or sweets and savories constructed from silk taffeta, marbles
and embroidery thread, all of her work relates to childhood and family rituals. Julie Allen graduated fom Franklin and Marshall College with a BA in 1992 and received her MFA from School of Visual Arts in 1994. She has had solo exhibitions at McKenzie Fine Art, New York, and has participated in group exhibitions in Germany, California and VT in 2009.