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Title
Goodbye Hello and There You Are
Artist
Holly Ballard Martz
Year
2026
Medium
Cast silicon bronze with nickel plating
Dimensions
11" diameter
Description of Artwork
The spherical form references world globes and the idea of global movement, making it an apt symbol for international travel and connection.
The first sphere engages directly with the rhythms of airport transit. On the side facing the departing passengers, the text reads “YOU SAY GOODBYE”. As travelers exit the airport and encounter the reverse side, the text reads, “I SAY HELLO”. This dual orientation creates a poetic reflection on the airport’s constant cycle of arrivals and departures, reinforcing the emotional exchanges that define travel.
The second sphere offers a complementary meditation on journey and self-discovery. Its front-facing reads "WHEREVER YOU GO”, while the reverse reads “THERE YOU ARE”. This pairing acknowledges travel as both a physical and internal experience, suggesting that while movement can change our surroundings, transformation ultimately comes from within.
Together these sculptures function as quiet, contemplative markers within the airport environment. They invite touch, pause, and contemplation, offering travelers a moment of recognition as they move through a space of transition.
About the Artist
Holly Ballard Martz is a multidisciplinary artist whose sculptural and installation-based work bridges conceptual inquiry with a deep reverence for craft. Known for her meticulous fabrication and material sensitivity, Martz transforms familiar objects—textiles, domestic tools, vintage ephemera—into intricately constructed pieces that challenge cultural norms and power structures.
Her practice honors traditional craft techniques while subverting their historical associations, using embellishment, repetition, and precision to explore themes such as gender roles, reproductive justice, and gun violence. By embedding provocative content within beautifully crafted surfaces, Martz invites viewers to engage with difficult subject matter through the lens of material beauty.
She has received numerous awards, including a SOLA Award, McMillen Foundation Fellowship, a Seattle Office of Arts and Culture CityArtist Award, and she was a Neddy Artist Award Finalist. Martz’s work is held in public and private collections including the Gates Foundation, the University of Washington, The Port of Seattle, and the City of Seattle. Martz is represented by Greg Kucera Gallery.
