A substantial retrospective on one of the world's most remarkable and critically acclaimed art photographers. Separated into four parts, Ballenesque takes readers on a visual, chronological journey through Roger Ballen's entire oeuvre, including both iconic images and previously unpublished photographs. Part I explores his formative artistic influences and his later rediscovery of boyhood through photography, culminating in his first published monograph, Boyhood, in 1979. Part II then charts the period between 1980 and 2000, during which time his deeper search for the elemental self found its way into the 'Dorps', or small towns, of South Africa and concluding with the release of his seminal monograph Outland. Part III covers the years 2000-2013, when Ballen achieved global recogition with Shadow Chamber and Boarding House and his work began to veer away from portraiture altogether. Finally, in Part IV, Ballen reflects upon his career in its entirety. With over 300 photographs and an introduction by eminent academic Robert J. C. Young, this book provides both an entirely new way of seeing Ballen's work for those who already follow his career and a comprehensive introduction for those encountering his photographs for the first time.

In a world in which many photographers seek to avoid definition, Roger Ballen's photographs define themselves in their defiance of classification and genre: his world stands out as one of a kind. The black-and-white images featured in Asylum of the Birds were created exclusively within the confines of a house in a Johannesburg suburb, the location of which remains a guarded secret. The inhabitants of the house, both human and animal - including, most notably, the ever-present birds - are the cast of Ballen's world, performers amidst the theatrical interiors that they create and he orchestrates. The resulting images exist in a space between painting, drawing, installation and photography. They are timeless, psychologically powerful and masterfully composed.

Asylum of the Birds is a new body of work by Roger Ballen, one of the most original image-makers of our times. Ballen has always sought to push the boundaries of photographic practice and has created an aesthetic and artistic vision unlike any other contemporary photographer. The images in Asylum of the Birds have been photographed entirely within the confines of a house in a Johannesburg suburb, the location of which remains a tightly guarded secret. The inhabitants of the house, both people and animals, and most notably the ever-present birds, are the cast who perform within a sculptural and decorated theatrical interior that Ballen creates and orchestrates. The resulting images are painterly, complex and surreal. They are richly layered with graffiti, drawings, animals and found objects. In a world where photographers seek to avoid definition, and whose work is often banal, Ballen is a true original who not only defies genres, but has defined his own artistic space as well.

The Theatre of Apparitions is a highly anticipated body of work by one of the most original image-makers of our times, whose remarkable artistic trajectory spans the past 40 years. This book is the culmination of his ongoing study of the connections between photography, drawing, the mind and the body. Created between the years 2004 and 2008, these 90-odd black-and-white images encourage viewers to delve deep into the darkest part of their psyches. The images in this new monograph were inspired by the simple act of drawing on windows - a practice that Ballen observed first-hand in many communities. From there, he started to experiment using different spray paints on glass and then `drawing on' or removing the paint with a sharp object to let natural light through. Finally, he photographed the results with a macro lens using black-and-white film. These black, dimensionless spaces effectively operate as canvases onto which Ballen projects pictorially his thoughts and emotions, creating, in effect, a theatre of the mind. The plates are separated into seven chapters or `acts', with each one introduced by a text written by Ballen himself. Carving out a realm that is both earthly and otherworldly, physical and spiritual, his work transcends all traditional concepts of photography.

This new and expanded edition of Roger Ballen's widely acclaimed 1979 photobook Boyhood features new and unpublished images taken by the photographer in the '70. Quoted by Andre Kertesz, Bruce Davidson and Elliott Erwitt as a rare and intimate view of the spirit of youth, these images are able to bring back the childhood of everyone. In photographs and stories, Ballen leads us across the continents of Europe, Asia, and North America in search of boyhood: boyhood as it is lived in the Himalayas of Nepal, the islands of Indonesia, the provinces of China, the streets of America. Each stunning black and white photograph (culled from 15,000 boy photos shot during Ballen's four-year quest of his subject) depicts the magic of boys revealed in their games, their adventures, their dreams, their mischief. Boyhood is able to connect boys all around the world across the borders of nationality and culture. More of an ode or a memory than a literal document, Ballen's first book is as powerful and current today as it was 43 years ago presenting a stunning series of timeless images that transcend social and cultural particularities.

A catalogue of the first, major exhibition of Ballen s work in France and an exploration of Ballen s positioning within modern and contemporary art.

The World According to Roger Ballen, co-authored with Colin Rhodes, looks at Ballen s career in the wider cultural context beyond photography, including his connections with and collections of Art Brut. It features photographs selected from across Ballen s career, along with installations created exclusively for the exhibition at Halle Saint Pierre and photographs of objects and works from Ballen s own collection of Art Brut.

Organized thematically, with texts by Colin Rhodes and an introduction and interview with Ballen by Martine Lusardy (the Director of the Halle Saint Pierre), The World According to Roger Ballen is both a catalogue of the first, major exhibition of Ballen s work in France and an exploration of Ballen s positioning within and connections to the wider context of modern and contemporary art.

From 1982 to 1986, Roger Ballen, an American, travelled widely throughout South Africa, visiting its scattered towns and villages. During this time he developed a unique vision towards little-known corners and artefacts, trading stores, old houses and humble people. Textured with time, these photographs reveal the essence of these places.

This is a revised second edition of Roger Ballen’s powerful photographic journey containing new unpublished images never seen before.

Roger says he has tried to depict what he believes to be a disappearing South African aesthetic. With each year, the anonymity of the present further transforms the character of these places.

The seminal work by photographer and artist Roger Ballen, re-released in an expanded edition with never-before-seen images from Ballen's archive. The culmination of nearly 20 years of work, Outland marked Ballen's move from documentary photography into the realms of fiction and propelled him into the international spotlight. Disturbing, exciting and impossible to forget, Ballen's images captured people living on the fringes of South African society. His powerful psychological studies influenced a generation of artists and still resonate today. First published in 2001, Outland is back in print and expanded to include 50 never-before-seen images from Ballen's archive with illuminating new commentary from the artist himself.

Roger Ballen’s new rat-human character: a gothic allegory in immaculately composed photographs

Over the past 35 years, Johannesburg-based American photographer and painter Roger Ballen (born 1950) has developed a distinctively dark and eerie style―characterized by a simple square format and stark black and white―to create images of the South African social landscape and portraits of surreal vignettes.

In his latest volume Ballen expands on his longstanding predilection for unsettling interiors and spooky characters. Roger the Rat follows the life of a creature whose body is human but whose head is that of a rat. Ballen’s rat character interacts with mannequins, people and various objects in often cramped and oppressive rooms, in ways that defy explanation but seem at once humorous and sinister. This book gathers the series, made between 2015 and 2020.

Separated into four parts, Ballenesque takes readers on a visual, chronological journey through Roger Ballen's entire oeuvre, including both iconic images and previously unpublished photographs. Part I explores his formative artistic influences and his later rediscovery of boyhood through photography, culminating in his first published monograph, Boyhood, in 1979. Part II then charts the period between 1980 and 2000, during which time his deeper search for the elemental self found its way into the 'Dorps', or small towns, of South Africa and concluding with the release of his seminal monograph Outland. Part III covers the years 2000-2013, when Ballen achieved global recogition with Shadow Chamber and Boarding House and his work began to veer away from portraiture altogether. Finally, in Part IV, Ballen reflects upon his career in its entirety. With over 300 photographs and an introduction by eminent academic Robert J. C. Young, this book provides both an entirely new way of seeing Ballen's work for those who already follow his career and a comprehensive introduction for those encountering his photographs for the first time.

Limited to 100 copies (+ 5 artist's copies) numbered 1-100. Includes a print of 'Candlelight' (2014), signed and numbered by Roger Ballen. Separated into four parts, Ballenesque takes readers on a visual, chronological journey through Roger Ballen's entire oeuvre, including both iconic images and previously unpublished photographs. Part I explores his formative artistic influences and his later rediscovery of boyhood through photography, culminating in his first published monograph, Boyhood, in 1979. Part II then charts the period between 1980 and 2000, during which time his deeper search for the elemental self found its way into the 'Dorps', or small towns, of South Africa and concluding with the release of his seminal monograph Outland. Part III covers the years 2000-2013, when Ballen achieved global recogition with Shadow Chamber and Boarding House and his work began to veer away from portraiture altogether. Finally, in Part IV, Ballen reflects upon his career in its entirety. With over 300 photographs and an introduction by eminent academic Robert J. C. Young, this book provides both an entirely new way of seeing Ballen's work for those who already follow his career and a comprehensive introduction for those encountering his photographs for the first time.