Born in New Jersey in 1964, Harry Allen received an undergraduate degree from Alfred University before moving to New York City and earning a Masters in Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute. In 1993 he established his design consultancy, Harry Allen Design, and the same year designed and produced a line of furniture called Living Systems, which he showed at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Since then he has designed furniture, products and interiors for an illustrious roster of international clients.
Harry’s work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (NYC), the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Denver Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His awards include the Brooklyn Museum of Art’s Modernism/Young Designer Award, two Industrial Design Society of America IDEA Awards, and he has been featured in ID Magazine’s Annual Design Review four times. His packaging for Marc Jacobs’ men’s fragrance, BANG, recently won both a FIFI Award and a Pentaward. His work is featured regularly in international media. Harry Allen does not underestimate his audience. His long-standing interests in art, new materials, and a systematic design approach have lead to some of the most intelligent products and interiors in the world today.
"Honestly, the Jalk chair was a challenge to transform. It is such a substantial piece of furniture with very few parts that can be modified. We created a material story, contrasting colorful yarns against the walnut of the chair. To add meaning to our Jalk chair, we tattooed it with healing motifs. At the top of the seat back we have a tear, or a drop of water. It symbolizes grace raining down from heaven, but it could also represent sympathy. The heart at the center is an obvious choice as love is at the center of all healing. On the seat we have a tangle of roots, symbolizing strength and grounding. At the center of the roots is a small flame. This is the energy we get from being grounded, the fire that comes up from the earth. I have been contemplating adding some wings, or another symbol of patience on the heel of the chair.
The symbols on the chair are inspired by my yoga practice, but I cannot take credit for the theory, it comes from my yoga teacher, Nevine Michaan, who has developed a taoist approach to yoga that I find inspiring. I thought this would be a great place to start with my Pink Jalk. All told, I think sympathy, love, grounding, energy, and patience is a great formula for all of life, but is especially helpful when dealing with disease."
The chairs will be on view at SUITE New York during the month of October for interested bidders to view in person.
Domestic Shipping:
To show their support of the Pink Jalk project, Tramo@Home New York has generously agreed to provide discounted domestic shipping rates. The chairs will be delivered free of charge within a 100 mile radius of New York City and at a reduced cost to any other domestic (USA) destination. Should the winner reside outside of the 100 mile radius of NYC, in addition to the shipping fee there will be an additional $175 crating charge for each chair. Should the winner reside in New York or California, they will be responsible for applicable state and local sales taxes. Please contact Charitybuzz at info@charitybuzz.com prior to bidding should you have any questions regarding the shipment of this item.
International Shipping:
Please note that shipping costs will vary based on the winner's location and winner will be responsible for all applicable shipping costs, crating fees (approximately $325 for fire-rated crate), insurance, customs fees, and import duties. The item will be insured at the full purchase price and the insurance fee and import duties will vary based on this amount. Charitybuzz is happy to provide interested bidders with a shipping quote prior to bidding so please contact info@charitybuzz.com should you have any questions regarding this item.