Balance

Balance is a 2013 glazed ceramic installation by Tim Ryan, which consists of two panels on adjacent walls, each of which features triangular tiles that surround a channel containing white-glazed "eggs," that is located within the Eskenazi Health Outpatient Care Center on the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, and is part of the Eskenazi Health Art Collection. Description Balance is a 2013 glazed ceramic wall installation designed by artist Tim Ryan. The work is composed of two large panels, each which measure 4' x 15', framed, and feature blue and green glazed, patterned, triangular tiles surrounding a path of red grout in which white egg-shaped forms are embedded. While all clay features were made using high-fire stoneware clay, three different techniques were used to create the forms. The blue and green triangular tiles are hand-rolled and slab-cut; a ceramic extruder was used to make the thin, raised dividers; and the white egg-shaped forms were thrown on a pottery wheel. Ryan conducted workshops with Eskenazi Midtown Community Mental Health Center, and participants helped to create the triangular tiles featured in the work. To install Balance, the tiles, grout, and eggs were attached directly to the wall before surrounding the panels with a frame. Of the installation, artist Tim Ryan explains: “Balance is an abstract work of art, intended to be visually interesting enough to invite a deeper look, finding personal patterns and significance. I think that the egg shape absolutely expresses this intersection of perfectly geometric and organic as well as hard edged triangles and soft texture.” Historical information