Known for his probing, often challenging images that exist in a space between painting, drawing, installation and photography, yet until now, no comprehensive retrospective on African photographer Roger Ballen has been released yet. Based on an entirely new appraisal of his archive, one that looks beyond his monographic projects for the first time, the book Ballenesque takes the reader on a visual, chronological tour of the photographer’s entire oeuvre, including both the iconic images and previously unpublished works.
At the heart of the book is Ballen’s own exploration of his style – of those particular qualities that make his work so compellingly his own.
Featuring reflective and engaging texts by Ballen himself, Ballenesque presents a distinctly personal account of the photographer’s career to date, including rare and privileged insights into Ballen’s photographic practice and the major influences that have helped to shape his worldview. Each of the key stages in Ballen’s creative journey is explored – a journey that, for Ballen has been both an outward and inward exploration of the self.
With over 300 photographs and an introduction by British postcolonial historian Robert J. C. Young, Ballenesque offers a new way of seeing Ballen’s work for those already familiar with his career, but also a comprehensive introduction for those encountering his photographs for the first time.
Roger Ballen, Ballenesque
Published by Thames & Hudson
$80 / £60 / 70€
