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Fred Ball
Born: 1945
Date of Death: 1985
Age at Death: 40 years
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Personal life and education
Fred Uhl Ball was born in Oakland, California in 1945. His mother, Kathryn Uhl, was an illustrator and enamelist who taught life drawing at Mills College and his father, F. Carlton Ball, was a ceramist who headed the art department at Mills. His grandfather, George Uhl, was a silversmith. This family influence and involvement in the arts inspired him to explore fine art in his youth. By the age of 11 he had exhibited his work and given enameling demonstrations at the California State Fair. He received his bachelors and masters in fine art from Sacramento State University. He lived and worked in Sacramento and in September 1985 he was robbed and beaten outside of his studio. He died three months later from injuries sustained during the attack.
Fine art
In the early 1970s he began experimenting with placing torch-fired enamels on thin copper foil panels like a collage. Ball also explored the use of bronze as a surface by exposing white enamel at varying temperatures to create varied hues of color on the bronze. These early experiments, described as unorthodox, also had him exploring fire scale and liquid enamels, which are quite common in enameling today. In 1972 he published his first book, "Experimental Techniques in Enameling."
Ball was best known for his large scale murals. In 1976 he participated in Sacramento's federally funded Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, allowing him to create his first large-scale mural at the Sacramento Community Center. He also created a 6 foot by 62 foot mural at a Sacramento parking garage, one of the largest enamel murals, called The Way Home. The piece consists of 1,488, each 12 by 12 inch, enamel tiles set into panels which are bolted to a concrete wall. His success as a muralist allowed him to make a living through commissions and the opportunity to continue experimenting with technique. A large portion of his commissions came from corporate clients in Sacramento, including the piece The Great Sacramento Valley at Sutter General Hospital which, upon his death, was completed by his mother and artist Bruce Beck in December, 1986.
Reception
Ball's experiments and work within enameling allowed Ball to be described by the Enamel Arts Foundation as a foremost leader in the field. He was one of the first enamel artists to bringing enameling to a larger scale, from the traditional smaller sizes generally seen early in the field.
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Bill Kelso
I first came to know and like Fred Ball when we were very young kids at Crocker elementary school. From elementary to high school as well as in his worklife Fred was always a kind, gentle and compassionate individual who really cared about other people. Besides being a fine person, he was also a wonderful artist. I remember visting the state fair every year to admire Fred's art work as well as that of his mother. Both of them occupied the same booth at the fair for over 20 years.
Unfortunately, it is sad to learn that such a gentle person had to die in such a brutal and cruel fashion. It is a real tragedy that Fred had his life cut short by a senseless act of violence.
Diana Doupé (Vicari)
I concur with Bill...Fred was a super, wonderful, talented guy, with a lovely sense of humor, too...I remember working with him on prom decorations for the Sacramento auditorium. We made a couple of trips to Sausalito, and did a few galleries together. His work was superb. Wish you were here, Fred--I'd love to give you a big hug. And may your attackers suffer in Dantesque disgrace. Shame on them.
Bonnie De Angelis (Stormont)
How sad...I'd heard years ago that Fred had passed, but I'd not heard of how. I'm so sorry to hear of this. I really didn't know Fred very well....but do remember that he was a fine person. If I'm not mistaken....he created a huge beautiful copper work of art in my Uncle Joe and Aunt Elinor's (Carol DeAngelis's parents) new home in Sac. on Grangers Dairy Drive back in the late 70's. It was an outstanding piece of art work!
Kathleen Peron (Matthews)
Fred lived across the street from my grandparents & we often walked home together from Cal Jr. Hi with him carrying his cello and me carrying my violin. We would have conversations about art and music often. I also saw him at the Fair every year because his & his mother's booth was directly across the street from the Stage where my dad would play 3 concerts everyday. I always had to stay near the stage but could go visit Fred. I have great memories of Fred; he was a very nice & gentle person who showed lots of feeling in his work. I was very sorry when I heard what had happened to this wonderfully talented artist.
Charlotte Adelman (Paliani)
I remember Fred as kind and helpful. I do remember hearing of his untimely death when it happened. I still have the picture of him decorating for the dance that was in the Bee as I was the one who arranged for pictures. Maybe I can get some of the articles for the reunion so we can walk a bit down memory lane...
Sally Robert
Just learned how Fred met his violent and untimely death. So, so sad. I worked with Fred on the '62 Nugget, when he was the Art Editor. I concur with Diane Doupé Vicari in trusting that Fred's attackers suffer in Dantesque disgrace. Fred was a SUPERSTAR. I think he unknowingly inspired many others simply by being himself. RIP
Valerie (Jean) Neelen (Siegel)
I knew Fred in Mrs. Williams art classes at McClatchy. I thought Fred was a prodigy. Fred became President of the Art Club and I becamee Secretary or Treasurer. The club planned a Saturday day trip to San Francisco to see an art exhibition at the DeYoung Museum, and to have lunch at the Hippopotamus, a popiuar hamburger resturant in the City. Fred was light hearted and fun to be around. He was also erudite, insighful and witty. At least twenty years later, while attending a meeting in Sacremento, I went into the Artists Contemporary Gallery and was delighted to see that Fred was represented there by his "Letters" series. I putchased his "Winter Letter." It hangs in my dining room. Though the years I've received interesting comments on the "Winter Letter." When my husband and I traved to Sacramento by car we pass the enemel tile installation by Fred on a city parking structure ( three stories high off of FWY 5 near J Street.) In the afternoon sun Fred's installation is a brillant reflection of the sun, a mountment to the element of light. This is very personal, but I often think of Fred. It is always late at night, when I'm working, and "Here Comes Fred"! I always think, a life that was too short, unrealized successes, and a tragic loss to Sacramento's visual arts community. Fred, wherever you are, big,big, hugs. Jean NSJeannie Zazzi
Probably the best date I had in high school was with Fred Ball. I didn't meet him until our senior year when he was in one of my classes. Fred asked me to our Senior Prom. A couple days before the prom, a dozen red roses (to match my red floor-length dress) were delivered to my home--that's in addition to the lovely orchid corsage I also received the night of the Prom. On Prom night, Fred took me out to an elegant dinner at one of the fancy hotels. Although Fred was in charge of the Prom decorations and had to make various checks here and there, we enjoyed dancing and socializing and we had a wonderful time. Also, later that year at the all-night Graduation Party, probably the best kiss I got was from Fred Ball. It just about knocked me of my feet! I saw Fred a couple years later at his enamel exhibit at the State Fair, and he was still totally into his art work. After his death, by accident I happened to run across his fabulous huge enamel mural at the Sacramento hotel. It was absoutely stunning! He was so talented. With fond memories,
Jeannie Zazzi
Dennis De Cuir
Fred was a great artist and good man.