Sadie Benning (American, b. 1973) "Guts 2"

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.

Sadie Benning (American, b. 1973)
Sadie Benning is an American artist known for her innovative installations, video narratives, and abstract paintings that explore themes of identity, loss, and memory. She gained early recognition at age 19 with her DIY video works presented at the 1993 Whitney Biennial, which examined teenage sexuality and societal stereotypes, one of which is included in the exhibition NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star at the New Museum. By 2007, Benning expanded her practice to include small-scale abstract paintings, drawing on the legacy of 1960s abstraction while developing a fresh, contemporary visual language. Her work continues to combine intimate storytelling with formal experimentation, as seen in her exhibitions featuring video, painting, and gouache.