Ivin Ballen"Poodle"
2007
Fiberglass, aquaresin, acrylic, absorbant ground, gouache, oil
69 x 65 x 5 "
I love this work on every level. Learn more below:
Excerpt from The Brooklyn Rail Review in February 2008 - "Ivin Balllen 50/50" by Lynn Crawford
I first saw Ballen's work in his graduate studio at Cranbrook in 2006. I, like other visitors, thought I was looking at a two-and-three-dimensional assemblage (a la Robert Rauschenberg) made from packaging materials we frequently use, even rely on, but rarely consider (shipping boxes, duct tape, to-go containers, coffee cups, plastic water bottles), and was astonished to learn that the art works were not made with physical objects, but were actually trompe-l'oeil paintings of them. Ballen constructed maquettes from the previously mentioned items, cast them in aqua resin and fibergalss, painted them to look uncannily just like the original things, and used them to build fantastically shaped pieces.Ballen is currently exhibiting in a group show ISN'T IT at Tony Wight Gallery, June 13 - August 16, 2008.
Ivin Ballen website
