For five decades, acclaimed photographer Roger Ballen has captivated audiences worldwide by exploring the human condition through the intersection of conscious and unconscious realms in his exhibitions, installations, and more than 20 published books. Thames & Hudson is now releasing "Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces," marking the first comprehensive monograph to showcase Ballen's groundbreaking venture into color photography, a visual revelation deeply rooted in the haunting and absurd psychological space that defines "Ballenism."
In his essay for the book, Ballen reflects on how color enhances his exploration of the physical and metaphysical dimensions of his work. "As I delved deeper into color photography, I began to appreciate how it adds a distinct ethereality and complexity to my work, enriching the psychological spaces within my images," he writes. Having worked exclusively in black and white throughout his career, Ballen felt compelled to explore this evolution after receiving a Leica SL camera as a gift in 2016.
Embracing the potential of color in his artistic practice, Ballen reexamined the relationships between his images and elements of light, depth, texture, and form. The highly anticipated monograph "Spirits and Spaces" features nearly 100 photographs that eloquently capture Ballen's strange universe, where animals and Art Brut-style drawings dominate the compositions, while humanity is reduced to obscure figures or fragmented body parts.
"Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces" is organized into six distinct sections, each accompanied by a brief preface from Ballen that frames the collection. The section titles—Childhood, Spectre, Animus, Shadow, Libido, and Chaos—reference Jungian archetypes of the subconscious and invite viewers to deepen their exploration of the multiple layers present within each image. Symbolism and metaphor blend seamlessly with the forms and volumes of his photographs, offering reference points that draw viewers into their own subconscious minds and memories.
Created in collaboration with Ballen's art director Marguerite Rossouw, the new color images featured in "Spirits and Spaces" were produced within a confined space constructed from worn and wallpapered wooden panels, illuminated with minimalist lighting. Within this dense and oppressive environment, Ballen creates what many might consider an inexplicable world—a realm where absurdity, chaos, comedy, and tragedy appear to coexist harmoniously.
"Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces" will be published by Thames & Hudson with an introduction by Colin Rhodes. The hardcover edition is scheduled for release on September 30, 2025, featuring 91 photographs across 144 pages in a 29.5 x 30.5 cm format. The book is available for pre-order with ISBN-10: 0500028923 and ISBN-13: 9780500028926, priced at $60, £40, or €49 through www.thamesandhudson.com.
