JAMES KAUN BAL0
Griot/ Banton/ Storyteller/ Image-Maker/ Artist
James Balo is a Haitian-Jamaican multidisciplinary-artist based in Baltimore, Maryland is originally from Carol City, but was raised by the vast Caribbean communities in Miami, Florida.
Balo, who is a 2018 United States Presidential Scholar in The Arts and National YoungArts Foundation Finalist in Visual Arts will receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
James’ work has been experienced throughout and outside of the country, including Miami, Fl, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, and Haiti.
Balo, who has performed and exhibited at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, Florida’s Adrienne Arsht Center, Sullivan Galleries, and the National YoungArts Foundation Gallery, considers himself to be a Griot or a Banton-- a rakontè istwa or an mc who keeps up the tradition of passing down history. He is in awe of the origin of black love stories.
Balo is creating interdisciplinary colleges that take the form of psalm, prose, installation, photo, film, textile, fashion, and performance--his work dances and evolvesthrough medium and presentation.
James is archiving an encyclopedia of his family’s history, culture, and tradition.
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Balo, who is a 2018 United States Presidential Scholar in The Arts and National YoungArts Foundation Finalist in Visual Arts will receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
James’ work has been experienced throughout and outside of the country, including Miami, Fl, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, and Haiti.
Balo, who has performed and exhibited at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, Florida’s Adrienne Arsht Center, Sullivan Galleries, and the National YoungArts Foundation Gallery, considers himself to be a Griot or a Banton-- a rakontè istwa or an mc who keeps up the tradition of passing down history. He is in awe of the origin of black love stories.
Balo is creating interdisciplinary colleges that take the form of psalm, prose, installation, photo, film, textile, fashion, and performance--his work dances and evolvesthrough medium and presentation.
James is archiving an encyclopedia of his family’s history, culture, and tradition.
