Brandon Ballengee Ghosts of the Gulf and A Habit of Deciding Influence Series

A N N C O N N E L LY F I N E A R T BRANDON BALLENGÉE

GHOSTS OF THE GULF and A HABIT OF DECIDING INFLUENCE

RIP African Pompano, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART

Artist and biologist Brandon Ballengée creates multi-media artworks inspired from his ecological field and laboratory research.

Ballengée’s art has been exhibited internationally in over 20 countries, and he has received numerous awards and fellowships.

The artist holds a Ph.D. in Trans-disciplinary Art and Biology from the University of Plymouth (England). Currently, he is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science studying the impact of the 2010 oil spill on species found in the Gulf of Mexico. He recently received a Creative ‑Capital Award and delivered a TEDxLSU talk.

RIP Atlantic Guitarfish, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART

RIP Bluntnose Stingray, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

“To create these images I used a process of chemically clearing and staining species I collected from the gulf since the 2010 oil spill disaster. These specimens were found already dead after the spill, and I wanted to analyze them through the clearing and staining process to screen them for anatomical deviations or developmental malformations. These particular species were once common but are now possibly in decline; they appear here as apparitions.�

- Brandon BallengĂŠe

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART

RIP Parrot Fish, 2014 Archival Giclée on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

RIP Triggerfish, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART

RIP Atlantic Lookdowns, 2014 Archival Giclée on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

The clearing and staining process involves firstly preserving specimens then placing them in an acid bath with blue stain, which adheres to cartilage. Next the specimens are masticated in a digestive enzyme called trypsin, which begins the clearing of other tissues. Then the specimens are bathed in an alkaline solution with red dye which bonds with bone. The final stages transition the specimens through a series of baths from Potassium Hydroxide to glycerin whereby the specimen tissues become transparent except for the bones and cartilage, which are vividly dyed red and blue.

The final specimen looks like a brightly colored x-ray revealing the complex architectural anatomy of these beautiful and disappearing species.

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART

RIP Texan Clearnosed Skate, 2014 Archival Giclée on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

RIP Batfish and Butterflyfish, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART

RIP Florida Pompano, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

RIP Gulf Silversides, 2014 Archival GiclĂŠe on Handmade Japanese Rice Paper, 18x24

Proceeds from the sales of the Ghosts of the Gulf exhibition at Ann Connelly Fine Art will support Atelier de la Nature's outdoor educational programming and nature reserve.

A Habit of Deciding Influence: Pigeons from Charles Darwin's Breeding Experiments Limited Editition Portfolio

Pigeons From Charles Darwin's Breeding Experiments, 2013 Giclee Print on Aches Aquarel Paper, 30x22.25

Pigeons From Charles Darwin's Breeding Experiments, 2013 Giclee Print on Aches Aquarel Paper, 30x22.25

Pigeons From Charles Darwin's Breeding Experiments, 2013 Giclee Print on Aches Aquarel Paper, 30x22.25

Pigeons From Charles Darwin's Breeding Experiments, 2013 Giclee Print on Aches Aquarel Paper, 30x22.25

Pigeons From Charles Darwin's Breeding Experiments, 2013 Giclee Print on Aches Aquarel Paper, 30x22.25

ANN CONNELLY FINE ART 1670 Lobdell Avenue, Suite 100 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225.927.7676 annconnelly.com annconnellyfineart