Allen Shugar is a Canadian artist, born and living in Toronto. He has been drawing and painting since childhood and, as a teenager, began painting in oils. In the 1970’s he studied graphic design at the Institute of Design, IIT (The New Bauhaus) in Chicago.

Since returning to Toronto, he has worked as a graphic designer, jeweller and illustrator. During the 1990’s, he developed a technique for reverse-painting on glass to produce custom pieces for commercial and residential settings.

Throughout, he continues to paint in oils, creating personal work as well as portraits by commission.

In my paintings, life forms - mainly human and plant - provide a springboard into the internal world of memory, association and dream. My most profound and enduring inspiration comes from the art of the European Symbolists of a century ago. My images also reflect my love of travel and the influence of many exotic, non-western cultures.