We are thrilled to welcome Remi Rana Allen as a newly appointed Trustee at Phoenix Art Space in 2025!

About Remi

Remi Rana Allen graduated with a Graphic Design degree from Norwich School of Art in 1992. An MA in Fine Art Printmaking at Buckinghamshire New University 2012 and MPhil 2017. Practice Based PhD at Chelsea College of Art 2024.

She has exhibited nationally and internationally and received awards including the Scott Mead Award: residency at The British School at Rome 2019, the a-n Time Space Money bursary 2021 and Arts Council England: Develop Your Creative Practice 2022. Shortlisted for the Janome Fine Art in Textile Award and the Whitworth Art Fund New Collecting Award – British South Asian Women Artists working with textiles – The University of Manchester. The Bertha Activism Award 2023 and The Contemporary Open 2024: New Art Exchange – Nottingham.

Remi has recently been appointed as the artist voice representing global ethnic majority artists on the steering board for CVAN South East. She devised the BAME/EDI Research Student mentoring scheme at Chelsea Camberwell and Wimbledon – University of the Arts London. As an Associate fellow at TrAIN (Transnational Art Identity and Nation) she is currently working on a partnership project between UAL and the University of Nairobi.

Remi teaches at Chelsea and Camberwell on the BA Fine Art and MA Painting courses. Also, has recently been appointed an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Nairobi and works as Western tutor for Educators’ Republic – Shanghai. She is the founder of research hub BL&ME – Brown Leaders & Makers Exist.

Swan Song: sing her to me, Remi’s solo touring exhibition is currently open at Exeter Phoenix. This is the exhibition’s second iteration, following a successful presentation at Brighton’s Phoenix Art Space in summer 2024 and is produced in partnership between the two organisations. With support from the University of Exeter, TrAIN at UAL, University of Sussex, The WATU Project Nairobi and the University of Nairobi.

I am delighted to have been appointed Artist Trustee at Phoenix Art Space. I look forward to working with the board members to develop and deliver their vision for the future. My personal and professional mission is to create a space where all participants are heard and seen. This is more than equality, diversity or inclusivity – this is a part of my DNA and I believe represents pure and simple ethics. It is not always an easy experience as an under represented female artist to feel a sense of belonging. My positive experience of working with the Phoenix team during the install of my solo exhibition, was the reason I was drawn to apply for the position of Trustee.

– Remi Rana Allen, Trustee

Remi’s appointment to our Board of Trustees marks a significant moment for Phoenix Art Space and reflects our dedication to ensuring artists’ voices are central to our governance and strategic development. Remi brings remarkable creative practice and academic achievements, and invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary artists, alongside a passionate commitment to creating genuine cultural change. Her joining of our already strong Board can only go on to galvanise our position as a leading creative and cultural organisation in Brighton & Hove, and in our sector.

– Dr. Cara Courage, Chair of the Board of Trustees

I am delighted to be welcoming Remi to our team of Trustees. Her extensive experience as an artist, educator, and researcher, alongside her national and international achievements, brings a unique perspective to our work. Remi’s commitment to equality and her innovative initiatives, such as BL&ME, will be invaluable as we continue to develop inclusive and inspiring programmes across Phoenix. I look forward to collaborating with her to engage and empower diverse creative communities.

– Lucy Day, Executive Director