Balz Dubs

Artistic Statement

At the heart of Balz's work stands the human body as a vehicle for inner states and existential connectedness. Gesture, posture, and form become carriers of sensations and movements that reach beyond the purely figurative. His sculptures navigate between personal intuition and universal references to nature and a sense of the cosmos. The creative process often begins with modelling in wax or clay. Wax in particular allows for the precise elaboration of fine structures and details, opening diverse possibilities for subsequent surface treatment and patination of the bronze. In the union of original modelling and casting in the enduring materiality of bronze, the sculptures develop their physical presence and timeless permanence. What Balz particularly values in clay is its immediate tactility and pliable, sensuous quality, which enables a direct way of working from movement and perception. Clay frequently serves him as a living starting point for the development of sculptural forms.