Roger Ballen

Roger Ballen is a highly regarded American-born photographer and artist known for his distinctive and unsettling black-and-white imagery. His artistic vision seamlessly fuses performance, immersion, and documentary approaches to photography, deliberately unsettling the viewer's perception of reality. 

Biography of Roger Ballen

Roger Ballen was born in 1950 in New York City, USA. At the age of 13, Roger Ballen received his first camera, igniting his passion for photography. Soon after, he secured his first commercial job, photographing a McDonald's restaurant in Mamaroneck, New York. This early experience marked the beginning of his journey as a photographer, laying the foundation for his subsequent exploration and mastery of the art form.

Roger Ballen attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied psychology.

In the summer of 1969, he captured photographs at Woodstock, the legendary music festival. These images showcased the vibrant and transformative atmosphere of the event and were later published in commemoration of the New York Times.

In the autumn of 1973, Roger Ballen embarked on a remarkable five-year expedition. This extraordinary journey took him across continents, traversing vast landscapes from Cairo to Cape Town and from Istanbul to New Guinea between 1973 and 1978. Ballen maintained his enduring passion for photography, using his camera to capture the diverse cultures he encountered.

During this trip, Roger Ballen arrived in South Africa, where he crossed paths with his future wife, Lynda Moross. They exchanged vows in 1980 and later welcomed twins, Amanda and Paul, in 1989.

In 1982, Roger Ballen permanently settled in Johannesburg, South Africa. He embarked on a different professional path, working as a self-employed mining entrepreneur until 2010. This entrepreneurial endeavor allowed Ballen to navigate the world of mining while pursuing his artistic endeavors on the side, marking a unique chapter in his life where his business pursuits and creative aspirations intersected.

Roger Ballen's Black-and-White Artworks

Roger Ballen's black-and-white artworks are renowned for their psychological impact, delving deep into the viewer's subconscious. Throughout his body of work, one notable element remains constant: Ballen's fascination with lines. Whether they manifest as railings, wires, walls, or corners, these lines persist as a recurring motif.

Roger Ballen characterizes his artworks as existential psychodramas, delving into the depths of the subconscious mind and evoking the darker aspects of the human condition. 

Exploring the Enigmatic Realms: Roger Ballen's Captivating Photographic Series

In his captivating series titled "Asylum of the Birds" (2014), Roger Ballen delved deeper into the enigmatic realms he captured through his lens. These photographic series served as both refuges and prisons, showcasing the coexistence of people and animals within their confines. Within these captivating worlds, one encounters an omnipresence of birds, who play an integral role in the narrative. 

In this series, as Roger Ballen consistently incorporates lines through corners, coat hangers, and wires, observant viewers will also notice a white bird. This presence of the avian figure serves as a subtle element, offering a glimpse of solace and tranquility amid the visual complexity of the photographs.

A Vibrant Revelation: Roger Ballen's Journey into Color

In 2018, Roger Ballen introduced his inaugural collection of color photographs. These captivating color polaroids made their debut at the Reflex Gallery booth during the Unseen Photo Fair, and 150 of them were published in a book titled "Roger Ballen: Polaroids - Volume One (2017)."

In September 2019, Ballen unveiled his most extensive exhibition to date, titled "The World According to Roger Ballen," held at Halle Saint Pierre in Paris. The exhibition showcased installations, drawings, videos, and photographs, offering viewers a comprehensive perspective on Ballen's artistic vision.

Roger Ballen's Impact and Recognition

In 2008, the Roger Ballen Foundation was founded as an organization dedicated to fostering the progress and education of photography in Africa. This foundation was created with the noble aim of supporting and promoting the growth of photography as an art form across the continent. 

With an impressive repertoire, Roger Ballen has showcased his work in more than fifty exhibitions around the globe. His artworks are represented in esteemed museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 2013, the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian Institution presented a significant retrospective of Ballen's work, which received critical acclaim and further solidified his reputation as a visionary artist.

In 2012, Roger Ballen collaborated with the South African group Die Antwoord on the music video for their song "I Fink U Freeky." This creative partnership resulted in a visually striking and provocative music video that showcased Ballen's distinct artistic style alongside Die Antwoord's unique musical expression.

In 2018, Roger Ballen was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate in Art and Design from Kingston University.