Tom Balbo (b.1954)
Moon of a Scarlet Sky, 2021
Materials: Abaca, flax, and pigmented cotton pulp painting, 90" x 43"
Location: Summa Health, Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion, Waiting Room
About the Art and Artist
Moon of a Scarlet Sky is a stunning example of Tom Balbo’s innovative approach to papermaking, utilizing natural fibers and pigmented pulp to create a textured, multi-dimensional work. Unlike traditional paper, which is flat and static, Balbo's piece incorporates relief and varied texture through the process of building up layers of wet pulp infused with color. The moon, raised from the surface, creates a striking contrast against the rough texture of the sky and the foliage-like forms at the base, while the rounded, river stone-like shapes below echo the moon's form. The result is a cohesive, dynamic composition that transforms the familiar medium of paper into something more tactile and evocative.
Balbo created this work during the pandemic, a time of personal reflection, as he revisited themes and ideas that had long intrigued him. This piece is part of a series exploring the moon, with the artist examining its many meanings—both traditional and contemporary—and the ways in which it inspires imagination and introspection, especially in uncertain times. The vivid, dreamlike colors of the sky invite a sense of mystery and possibility, while the landscape below remains deliberately ambiguous, allowing the viewer to interpret the forms and colors freely.
The size of the work—nearly 8 feet tall—amplifies its dreamlike quality, further dislocating the viewer from the earthly realm, while the materials, familiar yet used in an unconventional way, add to the feeling of surrealism. In the rock-like forms at the base of the composition, Balbo might also be reminding us of the moon's connection to Earth—scientifically believed to have formed from terrestrial material ejected into space by a cataclysmic event billions of years ago. This symbolic link between the moon and the Earth beneath our feet resonates as a poetic reflection of the piece’s themes.
A Cleveland native, Tom Balbo has spent over 40 years mastering the art of papermaking. He holds a B.A. in studio arts from Baldwin-Wallace College and an M.A. in studio art from Syracuse University. Balbo’s expertise extends beyond his individual artistic practice; in 2008, he co-founded the Morgan Art of Paper Conservatory and Educational Foundation, the largest arts center in the U.S. dedicated to papermaking, book arts, and letterpress printing. As the first artistic director of the center, he continues to inspire and educate artists in the realm of papermaking.
Where to See More of This Artist’s Work
In addition to his personal website, Tom Balbo’s work can be seen at his galleries in East Cleveland, and he was featured in the 2013 PBS video documenting his artistic process. Balbo’s pieces include artist books, marbled and embedded papers, and pulp paintings, all of which showcase his mastery of both traditional and contemporary papermaking techniques.