Artwork copyright Harold Balazs. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Circle of Friends, 1998

Harold Balazs
American (born 1928, died 2017)

Location: Department of Transportation - Spokane Engineers Office, Spokane

About the Artwork

Circle of Friends is a molded lead wall sculpture created by artist Harold Balazs. The abstract imagery is meant to instill a sense of wonder in the viewer. The artist noted that he was "interested in juxtaposing disparate elements as a metaphor of the need for diverse ideas to coexist."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Transportation.

About the Artist

Celebrated Spokane, Washington-based artist Harold Balazs (1928-2017) created abstract sculptures and public art installations in a variety of materials.
Born in Ohio, Harold Balazs's family moved to Spokane in the 1940s. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951 from Washington State College (now Washington State University) in Pullman, Eastern Washington. Many of his works are prominently featured in Spokane's public spaces. He was honored with a Washington State Governor's Arts and Heritage Award in 1988. Balazs continued to produce artworks into his late eighties, saying "I make stuff because it's better than not making stuff."