Joanna Ball
About the Artist
Joanna Ball originally trained at Carmarthen College of Technology and Arts in the UK in the early 90s where she graduated with a distinction in her National Diploma in Design. She was unable to take up a place at St. Martin’s in London due to illness and has recently completed her degree at NorthTec in New Zealand. Joanna lives and works at Coopers Beach in the Far North of New Zealand.
Her interest in dogs and gods, gods as dogs, dogs as gods and the way the human species relate to it all are brought together with humour, poignancy, sorrow, rudeness and blasphemy. When she exhibits Joanna says she loves to watch the reactions of the viewers. Horror and humour, and a hint of recognition.
Her paintings of dogs supporting and sympathising with their owners are often sensitive and emotional, drawing on her own personal experiences. Other watercolours have the dogs behaving innocently, vulgarly, cleverly and slyly. We see dogs sniffing the infant Jesus’s nappy and we see dogs sleeping with their owners. There are dogs that glow with an inner goodness and dogs that dream of chasing birds. And there are conversations between dogs and their humans.
Joanna’s ceramics have a way of drawing you in with their rich patterns and Byzantine styling before they surprise with their bizarre takes on religion. Gods for sale, top brand sponsorship for Jesus, dogs with halos. These large, vibrant, humorous, naïve, platters would grace the Pope’s kitchen any day of the week, putting the fun back in fundamentalism.
Exhibitions
Forthcoming Exhibitions Bank Street Gallery, Whangarei - November 2007
Porcine Gallery Whangarei -16 Dec 2007 to 19 Jan 2008
Whangarei Old Library- Junior Gallery -24 Jan 2008 to 6 March 2008
Williams House Gallery Paihia- 26 Jan 2008 to 8 Feb 2008
Currently her work can be seen at the Artful Gallery, Morgan Street, Newmarket, Auckland and at the Courtyard Gallery, Parnell, Auckland. She has upcoming exhibitions in Whangarei. One of her previous exhibitions "A Dogs Breakfast" unexpectedly resulted in some controversy and was featured on the National TV News and in the Northern Advocate
Previous Exhibitions
1990 The West Wales Open, Aberystwyth University
1990 The Diploma Show, Henry Thomas Gallery, Carmarthen
1990 The Pembrokeshire Open, Haverfordwest Library
1991 The West Wales Open, Aberystwyth University
1991 The Pembrokeshire Open, Haverfordwest Library
1991 Graham Sutherland Gallery, Picton Castle, Pembs
1992 “Cats”, Haverfordwest Library
1992 The Pembrokeshire Open, Haverfordwest Library
1992 The Music Festival, Fishguard
1992 The West Wales Open, Aberystwyth University
1992 Graham Sutherland Gallery, Picton Castle, Pembs
1992 Solo show – I am, I have been,I will be. Corridor Gallery, Carmarthen
1993 West Wales Open, Aberystwyth University
1993 Solo show – Home and Away, Henry Thomas Gallery, Carmarthen
1993 Artfest, West Wales Art Centre
1993 Dockside Gallery, Milford Haven
1993 The Pembrokeshire Open, Haverfordwest
1993 Dyfed Art Exhibition, selected by Mr. George Melly, Oriel Myrrddin Gallery
1994 on. Silkscreen and ceramic crafts sold though tourist outlets
1995-2005 Teaching, Taipa Area School
2006 The Bach Whangarei, New Zealand
2006 The Williams House Gallery, Paihia, New Zealand.
2006 Degree Show, Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei.
2006 The Cheese & Chocolate Show, Reco's, Kerikeri.
2007 North Shore Arts Summer Exhibition
To contact the artist regarding these works e-mail joanna@joannaball.com
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