Mai-Thu Perret (Swiss, b. 1976) "Migraine VI"

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.

Mai-Thu Perret (Swiss, b. 1976)
Mai-Thu Perret is a conceptual artist whose work investigates the tension between object and action. Her practice examines forms with a dispassionate eye, considering the hypothetical permanence of the meanings they convey. Perret’s art spans multiple medias, blending sculpture, installation, and performance to challenge conventional notions of presence and materiality. She has been recognized for her thoughtful, intellectually rigorous approach to contemporary art.