Added Feb 12, 2007
The works of Juan Del Balso express a certain will to be; of the characters, the objects, the materials. They are works that stand out for themselves, without the need for explanations, without prerequisites.
His figures are, generally, symbol of a collective anguish, where the most primitive parts of man stand out with force, to leave civilized man behind, the "conviction of necessity". Sometimes, these characters may seem fearful, others appear strong and determined, but never cease to be expressions of a deeply human nature, of a natural transition.
In his works, the material has a fundamental role, either when the artist chooses the pieces of wood, iron, etc. with attention to later "build" his works; as when he works with different textures on both conventional and strange materials to sculpture / painting.
Invariably, it is always the mark / sign of the material that stands out, and has a protagonist character, either when the artist grants a new meaning to an already existing material, such as when he chooses to create from nothing.
They are works that rather than looking at them, you would like to touch them, because every part of them, even the smallest scratch, tells a story.. Tail that is a work of art, because his sculptures, his paintings speaks of him, and he speaks through them, expressing his thoughts and feelings.
Sometimes, the artist expresses his convictions, and each work wants to be an expression / philosophy of life, other times, Del Balso lets out a more childlike version of himself and the works show a more playful and sympathetic side of his person.
In short, Del Balso is an eclectic artist, and it is eclectic because he accepts all parts of his being, which are then transformed into works of art, with a world of their own to tell.