Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis of Nature’s Forms
This is a condensed overview of the work from my 2024 show, Metamorphosis of Nature’s Forms, at the Trax Visual Art Center. It was by far the largest show I’ve ever had spanning 50 years of work. It was exhausting, but incredibly satisfying.
A special thanks to my family, Roger, Jen, Ryan, Lily, and Charlie for their love and support over the years. Also to an extra BIG thanks to the Dream Team for all their hard work before, during, and after the show. Catherine Lloyd, Susan Myers, Tamara LaValla, Caitlin Bright, and Harriett Green… I couldn’t have done it without you guys. I would also be remise if I didn’t recognize the entire Artfields team, whose support of the arts in Lake City has created a unique and thriving community for artists and local residents alike.
I would also like to thank Peter Salter and his daughter Hannah. They did an amazing job shooting and editing the video. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing a videographer.
Note: Much of the work in the video is currently available for sale in the shop.
I answered some questions about my journey as an artist and my life’s work just before my show was taken down. It closes with a quote from the show that sums things up pretty well. I hope you enjoy it.
“My life’s work has been centered around observing and interpreting our natural world and its abundant life forms into transcendent sculptural statements as a continuing reminder of the deep interconnectedness — and inherit strength — of all things. It is my deepest desire that those who connect with my work can share in the calming grounded narratives that revealed themselves to me during the creative process. Heal or be healed has become a mantra for me as a reminder of how our eternal stories of struggle, growth, renewal, and hope continue to connect each of us to ourselves, one another and our very wise, and wondrously brave, natural world.”
Many thanks to the ArtFields Team, the Trax Visual Art Center and everyone in Lake City for their support.
Metamorphosis of Nature's Forms
Metamorphosis of Nature's Forms
“Alice Ballard stands out as one of the masters of ceramic sculpture in our state. Her treatment of natural, organic forms succeeds in transforming the common and familiar into eloquent explorations of forms and innovative, thoughtful designs. Her work exhibits a keen mastery of her material with a refined sense of craftsmanship. She blends sculptural form, scale and surface texture with a subtle color palette. Ballard’s presentation of her forms produces delightful spatial compositions that enliven any space.”
Metamorphosis of Nature's Forms
Metamorphosis of Nature's Forms
“Alice Ballard’s exquisite ceramics of ‘natural objects’ illustrate, by her hands, the fact that we are part of — and not apart from — nature. If we understand that, we cannot escape our responsibility to use our own hands wisely.”
Columbia Museum of Art's fall 2015 exhibition, Independent Spirits: Women Artists of South Carolina