KAREN BALOS

Artist Statement

I create art in a spontaneous, fluid way, informed by years of observation and critique. I use fabric because of its sensual and emotional appeal, its feel, texture, color. My fiber constructions reference the tradition of quiltmaking. The cultural memories embedded in the material, the history, the intimacy evoke multiple layers of experience and meaning.

I begin with a blank canvas. I make a mark. I am filled with excitement, wondering what will emerge. As I applique, stitch, paint and quilt in response to what I see, a conversation is sparked between these new layers and techniques and my initial markings. More cycles of piecing, stitching and reflection both deepen this dialogue and bring out a unified work. Through this process, I aim to capture a feeling of spontaneity and dialogue in a medium that requires detailed and time consuming work.

I learn, grow and communicate through a visual, non-logical process and, through the process of creation, go beyond what I know and what I think I know. And I strive to create work that opens these doors for the viewer as well.

I name my work after completion. The name does not aim to be definitive, but merely to suggest one important facet of what has emerged for me. Many interpretations are possible, and I hope viewers will explore the multiple layers of personal meaning the work evokes for them, using my creative markings as a gateway to their own unknown.

Solo Exhibitions

  • Kala Art Institute Gallery, Berkeley, CA 2024 
  • NYtoCA Gallery, Benicia, CA 2023 [cancelled due to illness ]
  • Bay Quilts, Richmond, CA 2019
  • Oakland City Hall, Oakland, CA 2013-2014
  • Olive Hyde Gallery, Fremont, CA 2013
  • California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA 1994
  • Axis Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1991
  • Art Here Gallery, Albany, CA 1991

Selected Group Exhibitions

  • Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Laurel, MS 2022
  • Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI 2022
  • BlackRock Center for the Arts, Germantown, MD 2022
  • Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, Chicago, IL 2021
  • Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, St. Bonaventure, NY 2020
  • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, MI 2020
  • Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA 2020
  • New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA 2019
  • International Museum of Art and Science, McAllen, TX 2019
  • Grants Pass Museum of Art, Grants Pass, OR 2019
  • Stitches & Craft Show, Newcastle, Australia 2018
  • Craft & Quilt Fair, Canberra, Australia 2018
  • Australasian Quilt Convention, Melbourne, Australia 2018
  • San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, San Jose, CA 2018
  • Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 2017
  • International Quilt Festival, Chicago, IL 2017
  • Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, TX 2016
  • International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX 2016
  • Jingletown Art Studios, Oakland, CA 2016
  • Metro Gallery, City Hall, Reno, NV 2016
  • Flockworks Gallery, Mendocino, CA 2016
  • Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA 2015
  • Blue Line Arts Gallery, Roseville, CA 2014
  • Napa Library, Napa, CA 2014
  • Roseville Library, Roseville, CA 2014
  • Mill Valley Library, Mill Valley, CA 2014
  • Oakland Public Library, Cesar H. Chavez Branch, Oakland, CA 2012
  • ARC Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2012
  • Landfill Art Project, Philadelphia, PA 2012
  • Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA 2011
  • Palo Alto JCC, Palo Alto, CA 2010
  • Alma in Manhattan, New York, NY 2010
  • Brooklyn Art Library, Brooklyn, NY 2010
  • Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA 2010
  • Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, CA 2010
  • Galeria Ajolote Arte Contemporaneo, Guadalajara, Mexico 2009
  • Galeria Z, Bratislava, Slovakia 2009
  • Galerie Kuit im Hirsch, Berlin, Germany 2009
  • Museum of Arts and Crafts, Itami, Japan 2008
  • Zaim, Yokohama, Japan 2008
  • 2B Galeria, Budapest, Hungary 2008


Museum Collections

  • Judah L Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA, permanent collection
  • Bolinas Museum, Bolinas, CA, 1990-1996


Education

  • PhD in Visual and Social Studies, California Institute of integral Studies, San Francisco, CA 1997
  • MSW, Hunter College School of Social Work, New York, NY 1969
  • Fiber arts, sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, stained glass classes at UC Berkeley, CCA, College of Marin, The Crucible, Laney, Meritt, Studio One, CCE Studio, SF Bay Area, CA 1969-2013


Arts Employment

  • Artweek, Contributing writer, San Jose, CA 1994-1997
  • Down Syndrome Connection, Created and directed arts program, San Ramon, CA 1994-2003


Affiliations

  • Amperand Fiber Arts Group, SF Bay Area, CA
  • SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Association), National
  • Nu Quilting Arts Group, SF Bay Area, CA
  • Jingletown Arts and Business Community (JABC) Oakland, CA
Using Format