Fay Ballard

Fay Ballard’s practice is informed by psychoanalysis and viewing drawing as a space where the unconscious and conscious merge. In 2018, she began creating circle drawings that marked a shift from figurative to abstract work, following years of rediscovering her mother who passed away in 1964. Inspired by psychoanalyst Hanna Segal’s idea that creativity is a reparative act, Ballard sees her circles as shelters offering containment and stability. The idea of shelter is equally reflected in her visual language, which draws from the fine brickwork of mosque domes and Persian settlements—architectural forms she encountered during study trips to Iran and Morocco.

Each of Ballard’s circle drawings follows a precise set of self-imposed rules: a circle radius of 14, 18, or 56 cm, divided into concentric bands of 5 or 10 mm, and executed on three specific paper sizes. Ballard finds this structure liberating, rather than restrictive, as it allows for infinite variations within a defined framework. The circle, a symbol of perfect balance, is central to her work, yet the human touch remains evident. Subtle imperfections such as a stray pencil line or a brush mark become integral to the composition. The domestic scale of her work is significant, as her practice is deeply rooted in family history and memories of home, both physical and emotional. As Ballard works around each concentric circle, she builds up graphite or watercolour through repeated gestures. This rhythmic, almost meditative engagement relates to our proprioceptive sense, affecting both the maker and the viewer in a quiet, embodied way.

Exhibitions at the gallery:

Rhythmes and Remedies, 2025 (group show)

Lines of Empathy, 2023 (group show)