Alan Emerson Hicks transforms found materials into sculptures, collages, and fashion that challenge conventional ideas of value. These materials, often considered disposable or insignificant, embody a transient, weightless quality. Yet, through the artistic process, he gives them presence, and permanence.

By using objects that lack intrinsic worth, Hicks confronts the societal inclination to overlook what we deem valueless. His work invites viewers to reconsider the meaning of being through the lens of consumption, waste, and material culture. His work belies the deeper questions about existence and the ecological impact of our choices. Through this interplay, he seeks to elevate the ephemeral into something lasting, meaningful, and profound.

Alan has exhibited nationally and internationally, including a recent solo show at the Center on Halsted and a group show at SoNa Chicago. He works out of his studio in Bronzeville on the South Side of Chicago and is featured in monthly arts events at Gallery Guichard.