From Street Signs to Statement Pieces: The Sustainable Metal Art of Boris Bally
Handcrafted Metal Art with a Story, a Purpose & a Second Life | Swiss-trained metalsmith and designer Boris Bally transforms reclaimed materials into extraordinary works of sustainable art, sculptural furniture, and wearable art. Through his studio, Bally Humanufactured, Boris gives discarded street signs and recycled metal a new purpose, creating one-of-a-kind statement pieces that blend craftsmanship, creativity, and contemporary design.
DESIGNER
7/11/20262 min read
Handcrafted Metal Art with a Story, a Purpose & a Second Life | Boris Bally is a Swiss-trained metalsmith, artist, and designer whose work transforms everyday materials into extraordinary pieces of functional art. From his studio, Bally Humanufactured in Providence, Rhode Island, Boris combines traditional craftsmanship, innovative design, and sustainable thinking to create work that challenges the way we see the objects around us.
Known for his bold use of repurposed materials, especially reclaimed street signs, Bally gives discarded metal a second life, turning pieces of the urban landscape into sculptural furniture, jewelry, and contemporary works of art. Each creation carries traces of its past while being reimagined into something entirely new, proving that thoughtful design can be both beautiful and responsible.
With decades dedicated to his craft, Boris has earned international recognition for his creativity and contribution to contemporary design. His story and artistic journey have been preserved through the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art Oral History Project. He has received numerous honors, including the Rhode Island Council on the Arts Fellowship in Craft, multiple design fellowships, and First Prize from the International Green Dot Awards for his iconic Broadway ArmChair design.
His work has been exhibited worldwide and is held in prestigious public collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Museum of Arts and Design New York, Carnegie Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Renwick Gallery, and Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
Through creativity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to sustainability, Boris Bally shows us that his materials are never simply discarded, they are waiting for a new story to be told. His award-winning work celebrates the beauty of transformation, proving that art can have both a past and a powerful new story.
You can support Boris at borisbally.com or you can email him at boris@borisbally.com
