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Texas Dimensional: Fine Art in Three dimensions

An Introduction by Virginia & Andre Bally

It had always been a dream of ours to be able to curate an exhibition of 3-Dimensional
work. We have so many very good friends and acquaintances that are supremely talented
3D artists. These incredible folks work in various media; wood, clay, metal, glass and fiber
and some work with all of these in their mixed media creations. So, in 2015 we sponsored
and curated our first 3D exhibition at Centro Cultural Aztlan on Fredericksburg Road in San
Antonio. Our driving motivation was to expose the myth and generally held perception that
fine art has to be two dimensional.

What do we mean by that statement? Typically, when you visit a fine arts gallery, the
majority of the works are painting; oil, acrylic or watercolor and these command the highest
prices. If a gallery does show 3-dimensional work it tends to be relegated to the realm of
craft and “craft” is such a broad, collective genre it is generally perceived to have a lesser
value.

We are not trying to disrespect or downgrade flat work by any means. The artists that
produce this kind of work require a skill set and experience that give those works whether
oil, acrylic or watercolor their great value. These works are visually intriguing, stimulating
and thought provoking. However, we feel that the skill set and experience developed
by the 3D artist is no less demanding and, in some instances, can be more demanding.
3-Dimensional work is just as visually intriguing, stimulating and thought provoking as
2-dimensional work. So why aren’t these works appreciated in the same way; as fine art?

In the late spring of 2022, we were given the fantastic opportunity to partner with the
San Antonio Art League & Museum, to once again curate an exhibition of 3-dimensional
work utilizing their museum display space to celebrate the works by some very talented
3D artists. As we did before, we wanted to be sure to let the artists know that this is an
invitational exhibition. The “jury” has essentially been the two of us who, after much
thought, have invited 38 3D artists whose work in various media, including clay, glass,
wood, metal and fiber, we greatly admire and feel is exemplary in their craft. We asked
each artist to choose the work they felt best represented them.

We feel that this exhibition is amazing on so many different levels. We are so very grateful
to the San Antonio Art League & Museum for the opportunity to partner with them and their
very kind and generous contribution in letting us utilize their wonderful facility. And we are
equally grateful to all the artists who agreed to participate in this exhibition. These very
talented people are what make this exhibition of very fine 3-dimensional art so wonderful
and fully illustrate our thesis that 3-dimensional is indeed fine art.