The Bally Artist for the year 2008 is a young photographer from Locarno: NELLY RODRIGUEZ

“Nelly Rodriguez leaves an impact with her simple but attentive way of observing different ways of life, a view that expresses an empathetic sensibility. Her photographs seem to portray situations from the inside, as if she were sharing the life and feelings of her subjects in an expressive dialogue, valorised by the titles of her works. Few words or concise phrases become essential captions that help us appreciate stories told in photo frames that often recall film clips. Nelly shows an ability to evoke emotions that is uncommon for one so young. Her age allows her to transform lack of experience into curiosity and surprise, surpassing stylistic limits through an expressive approach that promises to produce much in her future as an artist.”

Born in 1981, Nelly won the favour of the Selection Committee for the originality and freshness of her works, for her ability to capture those distinctive elements of everyday life that make the existence of each person a unique, unrepeatable story, and also for her youth which, in addition to being an asset for further advancement in her craft, will allow her to obtain the most from this opportunity that Members of the Bally Cultural Foundation decided to offer her in 2008.

Throughout 2008, Bally sustained the work of Nelly Rodriguez, presenting her and her works in some of the global capitals of culture and fashion during exclusive events. In order to contribute economically, Bally also purchased one of her works to add to the Bally Cultural Foundation collection.