Untitled (Post Chernobyl)

'Untitled', 1986 is made up of a circle of white cotton panels held in place by painted white bamboo sticks which are set into a cement brick circle. An inner circle of cement bricks leads to a thick black sand arena in which a third circle of lead is placed. Wires from this inner circle connect backwards to the outer white cotton panels giving the piece an overall sense of rhythm and classic composure. The circular form reminds one of Stonehenge and Allan certainly captures a state of quasi religiosity in this work by virtue of a careful interplay of textures with a controlled balance of form. Allan's work in formal terms is in some ways reminiscent of Daniel Buren's, whose controversial sculpture/fountain in the inner courtyard of the Palais Royal, Paris, has provoked a major political row. Trisha Passes, Venue magazine, Bristol reviewing the exhibition Artspace / Sculpture Shed at V Shed, Canons Marsh, Bristol 1986