Cassandra Mayela Allen
CASSANDRA MAYELLA ALLEN, ARTIST
Artist Cassandra Mayela Allen is deeply influenced by her migration from Venezuela to the United States. Inviting audiences into her tactile exploration of migration, memory, and materiality, Mayella Allen reclaims worn textiles donated by members of the Venezuelan diaspora, transforming them into evocative map-like forms.
Mayela Allen’s pieces document the underreported narratives of displacement while celebrating the resilience and creativity of her community. Her labor-intensive process—ripping, sewing, and layering—becomes a metaphor for the interconnectedness of individual and collective stories, offering viewers an emotional and physical experience that challenges contemporary society's throwaway culture.
In addition to showing work with AIUSA at Scope this week, Mayella Allen will also be sharing a booth with her husband, Basie Allen, at NADA Fair presented by Olympia. Celebrating their craft and the life they’ve woven together, the exhibit marks the first time their work has been presented in an exclusive dialogue and how their shared impulse to reuse and repurpose everyday materials reflects a like-minded approach to navigating the world.
Check it out their show, along with Cassandra’s Miami, here:
Olympia, courtesy of the artist
How do you prepare to be creative? My husband pointed it out once, and I haven't been able to unsee it ever since: Before I start a new piece or the next big push, I clean and organize our house from top to bottom. I think decluttering my space is vital to me. That way, I can truly focus on what I want to do.
The artist who currently defines Miami: I don't think one artist can ever define a city or space. However, I'm very excited to see my homie José Parlá's exhibition "Homecoming" at PAM—I'm excited to see his Miami.
The most energizing Miami art experience: People-watching, dominoes, and dancing in Little Havana.
Currently reading: I'm (re)reading Basie's first book of poems, "Palm-lined with Potience." He's currently working on a second edition of the book, and I realized that even though I've read and listened to many of the poems, I haven't actually read them from the book!
Before the fair, I’ll get my breakfast at: I'll probably hit La Latina for an arepa or Caracas Bakery for a cachito de jamón.