Warren Isensee (American, b. 1956) "Soda Back"

Provenance Note: Charles E. Balbach (1934-2024) was a respected Western New York civic leader, arts patron, and dedicated collector whose leadership left a lasting mark on the region’s cultural institutions. A graduate of Harvard University, Balbach combined intellectual rigor with a deep commitment to public service and philanthropy. He served for more than two decades on the board of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery), including a term as President of the Board. During his tenure, he helped guide long-range planning initiatives and strengthen institutional stewardship at a pivotal moment in the museum’s evolution. A thoughtful and disciplined collector, Balbach believed strongly in public access to art and in the responsibility of collectors to support the institutions that sustain cultural life. His legacy reflects a lifetime of civic engagement, connoisseurship, and enduring dedication to the arts.

Warren Isensee (American, b. 1956)
Warren Isensee is a Geometric Abstractionist known for his precise, free-hand technique that minimizes visible traces of human intervention. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, he currently lives and works in New York. Over his career, Isensee has received numerous honors, including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant (1999) and recognition from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (2007). His work is held in public collections such as the Blanton Museum in Austin and the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, NY.