Davida Frances Allen (born 20 October 1951) is an Australian painter, filmmaker and writer.

Early life and education

Davida Allen was born on 20 October 1951 in Charleville, Queensland. She studied under Betty Churcher at the Stuartholme School, Brisbane (1965–69) and later under Roy Churcher (Betty Churcher's husband) at Brisbane Central Technical College (1970–72).

Career

Allen has written and illustrated two books, and has created a 50-minute film, Feeling Sexy (1999), on the struggles of an artist attempting to reconcile the conflicting demands of bohemia and suburbia. The film was invited to the Venice Film Festival. She frequently confronts the themes of family and sexuality; regarding the latter she has said: "if we are truly feminist in the fullest sense of the word, we shouldn't have felt we had to lock it away or be really careful about it. We should be chauvinist in our womanhood." Allen is represented in all major public collections in Australia, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Awards and nominations

Exhibitions

Australian exhibitions

Solo exhibitions

Group exhibitions

Commercial galleries

International group exhibitions