Erin Alles is a London-based artist from Southern California’s Coachella Valley, represented by Anti-Agency. Their practice is an intersection of painting, dance, contortion, choreography, acting, and modeling.

Erin holds a BA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths University of London and is a graduate of the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program. They’ve been showcased in films and campaigns, including HELL by Tom Brett and campaigns for AVAVAV x Adidas and Nike Yoga. They’ve directed and choreographed original work for the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program, SF Young Choreographers Forum, and have performed for multiple projects in galleries in the UK and USA.

Erin’s movement practice begins in presence and deep grounding, and is derived from their training in contemporary ballet, Reiki, Yoga, and Qi Gong. Their research includes quantum physics, alchemy, anatomy, kinesiology, gyrokinesis, somatic movement, Romuva, divination, and shamanic practice. Through contorted spiral movement, they allow the body to experience sensation past its threshold to connect with the subtle body and enter a state of trance. The flesh becomes an archive of inherited ancestral wisdom, a receiving station for a series of transmissions from a larger energetic field, and a tool for divination.

Erin’s paintings are a record of alchemical transformation, utilising extracted body fluids mixed with pigmented chemical and organic matter, which infuses the work with personal, biological history. Brushes, bare hands, and sharp tools are utilised for bruising, cutting and scraping surfaces, a process that visualises their intense and painful physical exploration and the information received through movement. An example of this process is described here.