Meet Gina Waldman Balkind | artist and art director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Waldman Balkind and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I think i have a very rare combination of skills because of all the things i have done in my life. I graduated with a Masters in Fine arts in 2003 after a 4 year BA Fine Arts degree straight from school. I worked as a professional artist with a few of the galleries before i got really interested in making fashion. I ran a fashion label with my sister and supplied 60 stores, worked on fashion weeks, started working with talented local crafters in South Africa and even opened a store. Here i learned the art of production, costing, design, and project management while also working very collaboratively with teams of manufacturers and stores. We then opened a fashion store and i fell pregnant with my son Leo about 2 years later and left the fashion business to become an interior stylist and art director- where i worked for top magazines pulling magic out of non existent budgets. All these experiences and skillsets have led me to the business i am now in- which is working in the design industry as an artist and art director- but my business can (and does) literally make anything artistic. It is all possible…

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So when i was an artist- there was a lot of ME/ I conversations. “My work is about…” and “I am saying in my art…” what i love about my business is that I work more in the interior/ architect/ developer sector where we work creatively on big scale work but the work is not about I. It is about how the work sits in relation to everything else in the space and of course the space and the site itself. We come up with the story and narrative from the design or the environment that the work sits in- if that is a high end luxury residence, a safari lodge out in the secluded , a hotel in the Seychelles or insanely trendy restaurant in Dubai, there is always a narrative and a spark that the design is informed by. When i work with crafters- we work with heart. We work with an absolute trust and respect for the process and the art of craft that has been passed down from generation to generation. There is always a story to be told and talented people to tell it and make it bespoke and special.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Joburg is rich with places to go and you can have so many different types of experiences. I love going on walking tours of our city and there are a few really interesting things on offer. From riding bikes to Soweto to culinary tours of the pan African melting pot that Joburg really are some of the best thing i have done as a local. Dlala Nje is also a pretty special thing to do- it is a located in Ponte- Johannesburgs circular building- and people can book and visit their skybar. It is there to change perceptions of Joburg and create opportunities for the youth and though initiative they have build a safe on site community centre- it has a killer view too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
OOH i love this! A huge shout out to all the artists, artisans and crafters in South Africa whose talent is astounding. The resourcefulness and creativity that is South African design is unique and unmatched. People are not sitting on the same feed as anyone else- they are innovating daily and making the most incredible quality items with their hands.

Instagram: @ginawaldmanstudio

Image Credits
photo by Brett Rubin studio for the portrait the rest of the portfolio all by Sarah De Pina