Mariko Mori (Japanese, b. 1967) "Head in the Clouds"

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.

Mariko Mori (Japanese, b. 1967)
Mariko Mori is an internationally acclaimed artist known for her photography, video installations, and sculpture that blend futuristic imagery with Eastern spiritual themes. Born in Tokyo, she studied fashion at Bunka Fashion College before pursuing art at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London and the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program in New York. Mori often inserts herself into her work, appearing as cyborgs, pop stars, or futuristic goddesses, creating surreal, science fiction-like scenes that explore technology, spirituality, and identity. Her practice draws comparisons to Cindy Sherman for its performative self-reinventions and has earned her recognition at the Venice Biennale and other international venues. Mori’s works are held in major collections including the MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, LACMA, and Centre Pompidou.