An exhibition of rare, unseen works by artist R. Allen Jensen will take place August 9 and 10, 2025, at Blackwall Studios in Stanwood, Washington. The show, titled “Sweeter for It,” features 43 pieces discovered by his widow, curator Susanna “Z” Mantis, and explores themes of death and life’s transience.
Jensen’s art confronts mortality not as something to fear, but as a companion to walk beside. The exhibition’s title, drawn from Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” reflects this philosophy: “Be absolute for death. Either death or life shall thereby be the sweeter.” In a century marked by pandemic, natural disasters, and generational loss, the works invite viewers to consider how to live fully while acknowledging life’s fragility.
The event will be held at Blackwall Studios, 5815 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood, WA, from 1:00 to 4:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Fifty percent of proceeds will benefit The R. Allen Jensen Foundation, which supports students and artists using workspaces to create. More information is available at RAllenJensen.com.
An exclusive pre-funk event will be held Friday, August 8, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, hosted by the Tafoyas, who display the largest private collection of Jensen’s work spanning decades. RSVP is required via text to 425-359-6136.
This exhibition marks a rare opportunity to view a significant body of work that has remained private until now. Mantis, who curated the show, emphasizes the importance of Jensen’s message in contemporary times. “His art is a bold meditation on life’s most profound certainty — death,” she said, “but it is not morbid. It is a celebration of living with grace and fire.”
The works themselves range in medium and style, all unified by Jensen’s fearless inquiry and exquisite craft. Attendees can expect to see pieces that have never before been exhibited, offering a fresh perspective on an artist whose work resonates deeply with universal human experience.
