Educated in South Africa, Barry Ball was born in New Zealand in 1941. 81 years. Trained at the Chelsea Potteries Ball worked as self employed potter for the eleven years he lived in the United Kingdom. Upon his return to New Zealand, Barry had a successful Pottery Studio and continued for a further 25 years as a self employed professional potter. He won two merit Prizes at the Fletcher Challenge Awards the most prestigious Pottery Award in New Zealand.

However it is the acceptance to enter the world reknown Faenza Art Exhibition in Italy The International Competition "Faenza Prize" is one of the most important competitions in the world in the field of contemporary ceramic art. Established for the first time in 1938 as a national event, it was extended to the international context in 1963. Arranged annually, except in the years of the Second World War, it has become biennial since 1989 and, up to now, has welcomed thousands of Italian and foreign artists.

Ball was accepted in the early 1980s to submit a Pot for the Prestigious Prize in Faenza Italy Known for Ceramics for centuries Faenza still remains the worlds most influential and top accolade for Potters world wide. The Pot was sold and continues to be Balls most highest achievement within his Career as a Potter.

Barry spent the next two decades splitting his time between New York and New Zealand as a full-time painter. A further 20 years Ball has concentrated his talent on Painting largely acrylic on canvas.

The guiding wisdom behind his abstract works is best described by the artist himself:

"The paintings are personal and intuitive. They are pre-planned only in the broadest sense, evolving as paint is applied and removed, then reapplied building up texture in the process. These paintings are not to be viewed passively but to be experienced. It is an emotional connection that we make with abstract artwork. As Kandinsky named his goal, '... to create a language that surpasses all boundaries, that travels across all borders and languages...' I have no intention of dictating this response to the viewer. I have my own relations and associations, but these are retained at my point of conception. An acknowledgement that an artwork carries on beyond the artist's imagination in that of the viewer."

It is here Ball turns his talent to sculpture and using found wooden objects such as fence posts and combining other medium such as resin he has further extended his abilities to create and conquer yet another medium Sculpture

Sometimes these worn or rotten or broken parts are reworked to find an image a curve , or shape and then a final result with effort and time.

There is a wide net of influences cast , and visible in Balls sculptural works , His young years in South Africa being exposed to carving from cultural ,spiritual and tribal traditions , his wide travels coupled with spending years back here in his original land cannot be ruled out as another addition with maori .and polynesian traditional carving exposure.

His works are deeply personal and are when seen are interestingly definitely in Barry Balls own personal intuitive style.

Balls most recent Exhibition expands decades of works created in all three mediums and is a tribute to his life long dedication to Art,

               BALL  GALLERY

Born in 1945 Christchurch New Zealand ,

Alison Ryde was already an established , respected watercolour artist before leaving NZ to live permanently in Italy more than 30 years ago. Surrounded by Olives and a large extended family with roots in Umbria here is where Ryde continues to paint.

With an ever inspiring landscape and lifestyle, Ryde uses her developed aquarelle technique with swift and precise line. In Italy she also uses acrylic on canvas which gives a spontaneous and energetic quality . With years of watercolour experience Ryde uses her refined skill to arrive at just the perfect moment to feel the light under the Italian sky...

We are proud to represent her works here in Austria.

ALISON RYDE GALLERY