Ballenesque: Roger Ballen: A Retrospective

A comprehensive retrospective of Roger Ballen's art photography, featuring over 300 photographs and an introduction by Robert J. C. Young. The book explores Ballen's formative artistic influences, his search for the elemental self, and his global recognition with Shadow Chamber and Boarding House.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

A comprehensive retrospective on one of the world's most remarkable and critically acclaimed art photographers.

"Ballenesque" is divided into four parts, taking readers on a visual and chronological journey through Roger Ballen's entire oeuvre. 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, concluding with the release of his seminal monograph, "Outland." Part III covers the years 2000–2013, when Ballen achieved global recognition 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.

Weight: 2390g
Dimension: 271 x 289 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500296554
Edition number: Revised and expanded edition