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ANDRE BALLY

SPRING BRANCH

Andre Bally, a graduate of Texas A&M University, Andre also spent one year
studying art at Sam Houston State University. After graduating, Andre worked
for A & M University in their Student Services Craft Center where he began
researching and experimenting with various materials including ceramics,
glass, paper, and metal.

Now after more than forty years, Andre produces works in each medium,
combining them for unique results. While admitting his first love continues
to be clay, Andre spends significant time developing and executing etched,
fused, casted and carved glass designs. His design esthetic closely follows
his interest in Native American Indian forms and patterns. Andre’s work can be
found in exhibits and in private collections in Canada, Europe, North Africa and
the United States.

With his wife, Virginia, Andre founded BALLY STUDIOS in 1994. This
collaborative team, along with their diverse Art and Design backgrounds, are
also greatly influenced by traditional Japanese design motifs along with those
of the North American Indian Tribes. With long hours of research, trial and
error, and a great deal of patience, each piece they produce is completely
unique.

For this exhibition Andre is experimenting with exaggerated texture on circular
tile forms. The glaze work is also experimental. On one piece, pushing the limit
of low fire under glazes, fired at high temperatures to get deeper colors and a
flux. On the other piece, the glaze work is layer and applied in thick lifts to get
a soft icing like finish.