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Ed Chee has received
international recognition for his balloon sculpting talent. He has
been featured in print media, has appeared on television, and is
widely acknowledged as one of the top balloon artists in the world.
His balloon career started while on a business trip, looking for something to bring home for his kids. He saw a book on balloon twisting on sale in a book store and decided it would be a nice surprise. He bought the book and some bags of balloons, then spend a few weeks in the hotel room learning the basics. This was the first step on a journey that later lead to competitions where he consistently finished near the top and garnered praise for his style of twisting. He obtained his Certified Balloon Artist (CBA) designation in 2003 by passing the requisite exams in balloon decor. His expanded business now includes many non-balloon aspects of the entertainment and promotional industry; his company produces laser-engraved awards, banners and signs, and embroidered apparel. Beyond balloons, Ed is an computer information systems specialist, hosts a weekly bible study, plays guitar, likes to cook, and enjoys challenging puzzles. His hobbies (which he rarely has time for anymore) include building models (especially sailing ships), playing chess (he was once a ranked player), bowling, and table tennis. Ed currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife and two children. He maintains an active calendar of entertainment bookings (private and corporate functions are usually booked out 6-8 weeks in advance) along with a robust travel schedule as a keynote presenter at various industry conventions around the world.
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Artist Statement |
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| I love creating highly-detailed sculptures using balloons as my artistic medium. I am only limited by my imagination as to what I can create. Above all, I love the joy my art brings to others.... whether it is a child receiving a quick sculpture, a family walking through a life-size exhibit, a gala event adorned with balloon decor, a smile from someone receiving a delivered sculpture, or an audience watching my presentation...everyone loves this transient art form! | ||
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Achievements |
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2007 v Received the 2007 "Rising Star" Balloon Excellence award v 1st Place, Balloon Decathlon Competition (gold medal) v 2nd Place, Twist-15 Competition, Niigata, JAPAN v 3rd Place, Small Competition, Niigata, JAPAN v 3rd Place, Small Competition, FCM, Indianapolis, IN, USA v 3rd Place, Medium Competition, FCM, Indianapolis, IN, USA v Headline instructor, ClownStock, Northampton, MA, USA v Headline instructor, FCM Convention, Indianapolis, IN, USA v Headline instructor, Aranda Countra Club, SINGAPORE v Headline instructor, Japan Twister Convention, Niigata, JAPAN v Headline instructor, GCA Convention, Las Vegas v Hosted 3rd annual DiamondJam convention in Mesa, AZ, USA v Featured in the Scottsdale Tribune newspaper article |
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| 2006 v Headline instructor, GCA Convention, Las Vegas, NV, USA v Headline instructor, T&S Convention, St. Louis, MO, USA v Headline instructor, Japan Twist Convention, Komaki, JAPAN v Headline instructor, Sentosa Island Resort, SINGAPORE v Lead Designer, 2nd Balloon Manor project, Rochester, NY, USA v Hosted 2nd annual DiamondJam convention in Mesa, AZ, USA v Featured in a Clowning Around magazine article |
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| 2004 v 3rd Place, Medium Artistic Balloon Sculpture Competition v Headline instructor, WRCA Convention, Laughlin, NV, USA v Lead Designer, 1st Balloon Manor project, Rochester, NY, USA v Co-hosted Balloonarama convention in Phoenix, AZ, USA v Hosted Canadian Jam, Hamilton, ON Canada v Hosted Southwest Jams in Arizona, California, Colorado |
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| 2003 v 1st Place, Master Balloon Competition v 4th Place, Small Artistic Balloon Sculpture Competition v 4th Place, Medium Artistic Balloon Sculpture Competition v Obtained Certified Balloon Artist (CBA) designation v Started SouthWest Jams in Arizona, California, Utah v Released 1st balloon instructional DVD, "Hat Attack!!!" |
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About Ed Chee
| Exhibits around the world | ||
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Singapore, 2007 |
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| In Singapore, Ed was asked to create two showcase pieces for Explorer Kid in Downtown East. He created a fun tree with animals, assisted by about 20 local twisters. He also created a chinese-style "cheong-sum" dress, modeled here by Ms. Jenny Wang. The piece took approximately 12 hrs to complete and used a very complex 6-way weave to create the traditional form-fitting dress. |
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| MillenniumJam 2007 | ||
| In Belgium, Ed participated in the "Venetian
Masquerade" balloon fashion show competition by creating these
outfits. While other competitors concentrated on a single outfit,
Ed took the unique approach of creating a matching pair of costumes
in the same timeframe. I felt that the origins of Venetian
Masquerade was all about love... and the imagery I get is always of
a couple at the masquerade event." The only non-balloon elements
in the photo are the wigs, female shoes, and feather in the male
tricorn hat. Assistance was provided by Shirley Ray, Michael
Abrahamson, Shonna Flanigan, and Bubblz. The winner was the
deserving Ms. Rie Hosokai, but Ed certainly made an impact with his
matching outfits and the unique techniques used to create these
outfits.
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| Balloon Manor 2006 | ||
| Ed was a lead designer on the 2006 Balloon Manor Project team led by Larry Moss and Don Caldwell. He designed the "Hanging Gallow-y" rooms, the arched alcove wall design, and the pop-out fireplaces. The "Hanging Gallow-y" room was the museum of artifacts recreated from the first Balloon Manor project. The "face in the tree" was one of his signature sculptures from this exhibit (created with assistance from artist Aaron Hay). |
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| MillenniumJam 2005 | ||
| In Belgium, Ed presented his first (in a series of
four) wearable balloon dress. Each dress represents one the four
elements - Water, Fire, Earth, Air. "Water" is an asymmetric design
with a "running water" weave and a skirt that reflects spraying
water. The dress is modeled by Ms. JoAnn Gray. Body artwork was
contributed by Ms. Lanna Maris. |
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| Balloon Manor 2004 | ||
| Ed was a lead designer on the original Balloon Manor Project teams led by Larry Moss and Don Caldwell. He designed the cemetery, front fencing, and wrought-iron gate entryway. A lonely gravedigger maintains the cemetery in front of the manor. |
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