Cassandra Mayela Allen is a self-taught artist based in New York City since forcibly migrating from Venezuela in 2014. Her work spans mixed media, textiles, installation, and socially engaged art, focusing on memory and belonging. She’s been an artist in residence with Modern Ancient Brown (DT), Pocoapoco (MX), Campo Garzón (UY), Bolster Arts (NYC) and is an alumna of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Recent projects and exhibitions include La UNAM (CDMX),  Olympia (NYC), MOCAD (DT), V1 Gallery (CPH). Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Bomb Magazine, Elephant Magazine, American Craft Council and Vogue México.

.-My practice stems from the migrating body and the items it clings to—personal objects, abandoned flags, and garments that have survived the journey. What was once destined for discard is transformed into a living archive. I’m interested in understanding how displacement manifests in daily life, focusing on whats retained and whats changes for survival.