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holly ballard martz

@hballardmartz

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Seattle-based multidisciplinary artist. Represented by @gregkuceragallery

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a year ago

“Time for jumpin’ overboard (life preserver I)”Vintage rainfall map, found inflatable vinyl raft, polypropylene webbing, metal buckle, kapok, thread On view through Sunday @gregkuceragallery @assemblyfair by @hballardmartz

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3 hours ago

“Give me shelter (fire suit)”Vintage emergency wildfire shelter, vintage map, decommissioned fire hose, vintage fabric, thread, metal buttons, acrylic hanger, stainless coat hookOn view @gregkuceragallery @assemblyfair July 23-26 by @hballardmartz

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2 days ago

Two new punching bags making their debut at Assembly Art Fair courtesy of @gregkuceragallery. Opens tomorrow with a collector preview tonight. “Cassandra(DISMISSED)” and “Pandora( SETUP)” by @hballardmartz

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3 days ago

Excited to be debuting new work with @gregkuceragallery at the inaugural edition of Assembly Art Fair at the West Canal Yards. Opens this Thursday with a collector preview Wednesday evening. Hope to see you there! by @hballardmartz

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5 days ago

Grand Gesture July 2nd - August 3rd Curated by Tommy Gregory @tommy.g.human SEA Public Art Program Sr. Manager and Curator Produced by ARCADE Artist Highlight: Holly Ballard Martz @hballardmartz Grand Gesture also features works from: Sabine Marcelis @sabine_marcelisJennifer Steinkamp @jennifer.steinkamp.artSoo Sunny Park @soosunnypark Barbara Earl Thomas @barbaraearlthomas Celebrate the opening of SAF on July 23rd, 7-9pm at a pre-party with DJ Charles Mudede — hosted at the Grand Gesture exhibition on Railspur’s fifth floor. Save the date and look out for an RSVP link soon! See below for our open hours, or email leah@arcadenw.org to schedule a private viewing of the exhibition. Regular Hours Thursdays & Fridays 2–6pm Seattle Art Fair July 23rd–26th Open during fair hours SAF Pre-Party July 23rd, 7–9 pm With DJ Charles Mudede Closing August 6th Pioneer Square Art Walk 5–9pm Railspur 5th Floor 419 Occidental Ave S Seattle, WA 98104 Thank you to our wonderful hosts @railspur.seattle and fantastic partners @portofseattle @thelumieregroup @ffttnw by @hballardmartz

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10 days ago

So pleased to be showing Triage @ericfirestonegallery as part the Earth, Wind, and Fire exhibit opening today. It feels especially resonant to exhibit Triage during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—a document that proclaims all people are created equal and endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Triage confronts the gap between those ideals and this nation’s long-standing failure to fulfill them. In medicine, triage is the urgent act of determining who needs critical care first. Today, our democracy is the patient on the table. A country built on genocide and slavery was flawed from its inception, yet generations have fought to push it closer to the promises embedded in its founding documents. Now we are witnessing a coordinated assault on those very principles: fundamental rights are being stripped away, and the systems meant to protect them are under attack. If we are to imagine another 250 years, let alone survive the next decade, we must recognize the erosion of democracy as the emergency it is. Only by prioritizing this crisis with the seriousness of triage can we hope to revive the ideals we claim to celebrate. by @hballardmartz

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22 days ago

I am drawn to other humans who find ease and kinship in customarily uneasy discussion about political/social discourse, civil and existential threats, mental illness, and the like. I’ve long admired Holly’s art, knowing the import these issues have on her work and livelihood. She is unafraid to intrepidly navigate those categorically “tough” conversations. I gravitate towards art that is stirring and confrontational, in direct response to the world’s happenings and horrors.For several decades, @hballardmartz has produced innumerable works that broach these controversial matters, that challenge and question, that clamor with rage, and subtly discomfort the comfortable. In her practice, Martz uses found or discarded objects to fabricate her elaborate sculptures and installations. From an ornate wallpaper of coated steel hangers in the shape of the female reproductive system to a full-scale circus tent made up of American flags, no topic is impermissible. Beyond her incisive commentary, the sheer quality and meticulous craftsmanship of the works are truly remarkable.Holly started out in printmaking and can recount the moment in her life when she shifted to a sculptural focus. Years ago, her daughter, who battles ongoing mental illness, had attempted suicide. Holly recalls the medical alert band on her daughter’s wrist that read ‘Fall Risk.’ How could her daughter fall any further than she had at that juncture? In response, Holly ordered 500 of those bands and assembled a net from them to catch her fallen daughter. This activism and advocacy give voice to so many of us. It’s empowering.As a parent of two daughters, I’m acutely aware of the shifting political landscape that threatens their futures and erodes their rights. As a lifelong depressive, I am actively living with this disease and understand its nuances. As a human, I am beset with worry; my eyes are open to the atrocities and inequities of this world. I feel a powerful connection to Holly’s work, her ideologies, and her humanity. by @hballardmartz

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23 days ago

“One good turn deserves another”Nickel plated bronze ~ come check it out tomorrow at the opening of Grand Gesture @railspur.seattle, curated by @tommy.g.human by @hballardmartz

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24 days ago

So grateful to @sola_seattle, @artisttrust and the legacies of Ginny Ruffner and Marge Levy for this award and I am deeply honored to be recognized with such a stellar cohort of artists. by @hballardmartz

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a month ago

Many thanks to Margot Vansynghel and The Seattle Times for choosing “Grand Gesture” as a top July art exhibit. Opens @railspur.seattle July 2nd 5-9pm by @hballardmartz

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a month ago

Grand Gesture opens July 2nd 5-9pm @Railspur in Pioneer Square. Honored to be included with such stellar artists ~ much gratitude to curator and formidable champion of artists (a fantastic artist in his own right) Tommy Gregory. @tommy.g.human Grand GestureJuly 2nd - Aug 3rdCurated by Tommy Gregory SEA Art Program Senior Manager and CuratorProduced by ARCADEWith thanks to @arcade_nw @railspur.seattle @portofseattle @thelumieregroup @ffttnw by @hballardmartz

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a month ago