Jene Highstein (American, 1942-2013) "Two Rooms with Ramp"

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.

Jene Highstein (American, 1942-2013)
Jene Highstein was a sculptor known for his abstract and performance-based works, often exploring form, space, and movement. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he spent his later years in upstate New York, where he drew inspiration from landscapes reminiscent of his childhood summers in North Carolina. Highstein’s innovative practice spanned decades, leaving a legacy of drawings, sculptures, and performances celebrated for their poetic engagement with the human and natural world.