THE CREATIVE CORE OF MELANIN EXPRESSION
How do you talk or think about black history with all its pain, anger, and mortification? For many, the visual and performing arts have provided a haven of freedom to tell a story, question an ideology, and communicate truth. History has shown that blackb
Soul to canvas with Krystal Ball
From the age of four, Krystal Ball found solace in creating art that expressed not only her thoughts and emotions, but those of her ancestors. From the drawing of a face by her father, Ball fell in love with the visual art and would walk around with a pencil and paper in hand. In fascination with the simple things around her, Ball uses the stroke of a brush or pencil to depict emotions while striving for deeper symbolism.
After years of practice and help from her high-school art teacher, Ball became a force to be reckoned with. She placed fourth in Jamaica’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Visual Art and received six scholarships from art colleges across the United States (US) and Canada. With this, Ball attended the Moore College of Art & Design, where she became a dean’s list student and developed an interest in painting.
RECONNECTING WITH HER LOVE
Unfortunately, after a year and a half of studies, Ball had to return to Jamaica because of financial difficulties. This became one of her darkest times as she felt discouraged and decided to explore other opportunities. She got a nine-to-five job but little did she know, art was her ‘forever after’. After two years in the job, Ball started to teach at sip-and-paint parties and with a little nudge in the right direction, Ball reconnected with her lost love. “When I got back to Jamaica and I hit depression, art became more than brush to canvas but became my therapy, both to look at and to create and though I wasn’t doing painting professionally, art was always my refuge as it genuinely brings me an indescribable happiness,” she expressed.
With full support from her family, Ball is never alone in her tough times. Her mother, who plays a major support in her dreams, shared that she is sometimes astonished by Ball’s work. She believed Ball was born and destined to be incredible.
During her time in the US, Ball learnt to appreciate more of her culture. Her art history classes opened her eyes and grew her love for black history.
“It was amazing to see how smart, advanced, and innovative the black people
in Africa were. They were excellent artists who displayed creativity with their clothes, sculptures, ornaments, and the list goes on. It made me proud and taught me to embrace more of my race and history in my art,” she told Flair.
Ball’s most loved pieces are the ones that she has created from her raw emotions or situations that impacted her life. She also enjoys pieces she creates or recreates from stories and art in her cultural history.
Being a nature lover, Ball is curious to see the hidden gems of Jamaica and the rest of the world. She hopes to experience food and art from different cultures.
Here are a few of her culturally inspired pieces.