Biography
Since qualifying in Fine Art at The Wits Technicon in 1993 Cum Laude, Ballenden has been creating art and teaching. Her work can be found in three major collections: the Anglo-American Collection, the Sasol Collection, and the Johannesburg University Collection. Ballenden has had several solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group shows. Ballenden spent three months as an Artist in Residence at the Bag Factory in 2015, before moving on to Ariel Empire Studios with Bronwyn Lace. At the end of March 2016, this group of artists relocated to August House, an old five-story office building in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, with over 50 contemporary artists, the largest group of artists in one building in South Africa.
Ballenden’s art has grown and developed throughout her career, shifting between figurative and abstract work. Currently, she is engaged in a process of cutting and destroying old unresolved works which, she then reconstructs into new works in their own right.
Qualifications and collections
National Higher Diploma cum Laude from Wits Technicon 1993
Part Time Lecturer Wits Technicon 1993 – 1996
The Astrup Fearnley Art Museum Oslo Norway Collection
SAFFCA Collection
Wits Tech Collection
The Sasol Collection
The Anglo American Collection
Many Private Collections
1st prize Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards 1992
Nine Solo Exhibitions