{"id":5699,"date":"2017-03-16T01:10:07","date_gmt":"2017-03-16T05:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/?p=5699"},"modified":"2017-03-08T17:04:57","modified_gmt":"2017-03-08T22:04:57","slug":"delicate-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/delicate-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Delicate Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"marsha-balian-nose-dive\"<\/p>\n

“Delicate Balance”:
\nMarsha Balian, Irene Belknap and Jennifer Johnson
\n17 March-4 May 2017<\/h2>\n

With the recent closure of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, the word “circus” is changing from a noun to something merely descriptive. It is useful in describing many situations and perhaps current events, but an actual circus in the historic sense of three rings, animals, stunts and clowns may become a thing of the past. In “Delicate Balance”, three artists balance tight rope walkers, stunt girls on horseback, clowns, jugglers, and brightly costumed performers in a circus of imagery. Painter Irene Belknap, mixed-media artist Marsha Balian and sculptor Jennifer Johnson are showing their art work.<\/p>\n

Marsha Balian<\/strong> is a self-taught collage artist who frequently invents her own techniques. Her work often incorporates found objects, including what might be scavenged from the floor of her studio. Since invention doesn\u2019t require strict adherence to rules, her art avoids what might be literal and attempts to engage the imagination of the viewer. Humour is never far behind. Her \u201cBig Top\u201d series plays with and reinvents some of that imagery: animals piled on top of other animals, people jumping through the air, and clowns whose behaviour is unknown, but at least isn\u2019t scary. \u201cThe imagery, the craziness, the improbability of the circus has always intrigued me since I was a kid,\u201d says Balian. She is showing work from her new series, \u201cLong Winded Tales from Distant Lands\u201d. Her artwork has been shown throughout the Bay Area and in many parts of the country. Learn more at her Kolaj Magazine Artist Directory page HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Irene Belknap<\/strong> paints large, colourful canvases that use figurative images invoking a Cirque de Soleil style with associative meanings. Significant gestures in balance with an object are juxtaposed in sometimes unexpected ways; asking for the viewer\u2019s interaction. Belknap says, \u201cMy aim is to evoke a sense of the unknown where final meaning is withheld.\u201d Belknap was born in Munich, Germany, where she and her family were on the second boat out of Germany after World War II. After studying art in Austria, she went on to receive a BA in History of Art from Sweet Briar College and eventually an MFA from the San Francisco Art institute. She has shown her work throughout the United States as well as internationally.<\/p>\n

Jennifer Johnson<\/strong> is a northern California artist who creates figurative sculptures that focus on the obscure and marvelous world of circus life. \u201cI think the lure of the circus exists solely to ignite dreams. It\u2019s ornate, wonderful, ridiculous and full of mystery and whimsy, designed to surprise and delight. My innermost thoughts like to dwell in that real magic during the golden age of the circus,\u201d says Johnson. Her sculptures are shaped, formed and welded new steel and found metal objects including steel, bronze, copper, and aluminum. In addressing the human figure with recycled metal, the challenge is conveying an emotional pose that is enhanced by the patina of time and adds an element of surprise without taking away from the image. These sculptures introduce emotion without facial expression while selected portions of the bodies are slightly reduced, enlarged, or distorted. The quest to answer “who we are” and “how we deal with life” is offered subtly to viewers who see a portion of themselves in every piece.<\/p>\n

\n

INFORMATION<\/h3>\n

Gallery at 48 Natoma<\/strong>
\n48 Natoma Street
\nFolsom, California 95630 USA
\n(916) 355-7285<\/p>\n

Hours:<\/strong>
\nMonday, Thursday, Friday, 9AM-5PM
\nTuesday, Wednesday, 9AM-5PM and 6-8PM<\/p>\n

MAP<\/a> | WEBSITE<\/a>\u00a0| FACEBOOK<\/a><\/p>\n

Image (top):<\/strong>
\nDive to a Small Place<\/em>
\nby Marsha Balian
\n12″x12″
\nmixed media: acrylic paint, assorted papers, circus memorabilia, found images, pencil and coloured pencil on paper and oil paint on wood panel
\n2017<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Delicate Balance”: Marsha Balian, Irene Belknap and Jennifer Johnson 17 March-4 May 2017 With the recent closure of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, the word “circus” is changing from a noun to something merely descriptive. It is useful…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5700,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-collage-exhibitions","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-nose-dive.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2QTD7-1tV","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4581,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/articles\/artist-portfolio-marsha-balian\/","url_meta":{"origin":5699,"position":0},"title":"Artist Portfolio: Marsha Balian","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"3 February 2016","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Artist Portfolio: Marsha Balian When Marsha Balian was a little girl, her parents, who were sewers and clothing makers, tried to interest her in the family craft. She hated sewing and their attempts went in vain. She did, however, pick up a love of fabric, and in the collection of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fabrications-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fabrications-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fabrications-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fabrications-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3200,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/marsha-balian-artspacewhrc\/","url_meta":{"origin":5699,"position":1},"title":"Marsha Balian at ArtSpace@WHRC","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"11 September 2014","format":"gallery","excerpt":"8 September 2014-4 January 2015 Opening reception: Sunday, 14 September, 3-5PM Marsha Balian: \"Fabrications and Other Notions\" For \"Fabrications and Other Notions\", mixed media\u00a0artist Marsha Balian avoids the literal and engages the imagination of the viewer to create delightful, often humorous, narrative works on panel. Making use of embroidered clothing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/big-girls-in-little-garden-marsha-balian.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/big-girls-in-little-garden-marsha-balian.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/big-girls-in-little-garden-marsha-balian.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/big-girls-in-little-garden-marsha-balian.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4296,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/fish-tales-at-artbeat-salon-gallery\/","url_meta":{"origin":5699,"position":2},"title":"Fish Tales at Artbeat Salon & Gallery","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"11 November 2015","format":"gallery","excerpt":"\"Fish Tales\": Katie McCann and Marsha Balian 10 November 2015-9 January 2016 Opening reception: Saturday, 14 November, 6-8PM Artists Katie McCann and Marsha Balian present\u00a0their latest \"fish\" inspired collage and mixed media art. There are three elements that compel the production of art for\u00a0Marsha Balian: mystery, invention, and the power\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-dinner-with-fish-and-fowl-web.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7262,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/by-implication\/","url_meta":{"origin":5699,"position":3},"title":"By Implication","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"20 July 2018","format":"gallery","excerpt":"COLLAGE ON VIEW By Implication: Marsha Balian & Joy Broom at GearBox Gallery in Oakland, California, USA 28 June-28 July 2018 Marsha Balian and Joy Broom use ephemera and found objects to create evocative artworks suggesting narratives and personal histories. Juxtapositions of imagery and objects are guided by intuition and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-bingo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-bingo.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-bingo.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-bingo.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7691,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/about-face\/","url_meta":{"origin":5699,"position":4},"title":"About Face","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"7 December 2018","format":"gallery","excerpt":"COLLAGE ON VIEW \"About Face\": Marsha Balian & Deborah Benioff Friedman 24 November 2018-5 January 2019 Most of Deborah Benioff Friedman\u2019s work is abstract, but she enjoys making the tiny thumbprint faces that are on display here. Each face is a tiny ink drawing on a thumb or finger print.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-notify-at-once.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-notify-at-once.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-notify-at-once.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/marsha-balian-notify-at-once.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16122,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/autofiction\/","url_meta":{"origin":5699,"position":5},"title":"Autofiction","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"25 January 2025","format":"gallery","excerpt":"The Puppet Speaks for Me by Marsha Balian12\"x12\"x1.5\"; mixed media; 2024. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW Marsha Balian: Autofiction at Transmission Gallery in Oakland, California, USA16 January to 1 March 2025 Mixed media artist Marsha Balian admits to difficulty following instructions (unless she really has to). 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