About Roger Ballen

Roger Ballen is an internationally renowned artist. Born in New York on 11 April 1950, the American photographer lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa (ZA). After studying psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, he obtained a doctorate in geology from the Colorado School of Mines in 1981. After his geology studies, he moved to South Africa, where he took up photography, initially focusing on sunny urban landscapes. There he gradually developed his distinctive photographic style. He then turned his attention to private interiors, with their collections of objects and enclosed worlds. Metaphors for the inner mind, these places lead him to create what he calls ‘documentary fictions’. His use of square format and black and white, both dense and austere, places his work in the realm of plastic photography. He will represent South Africa at the Venice Biennale in 2022.

Exhibitions at Hangar : Des oiseaux (2022)

Rogen Ballen's photographic style

Roger Ballen's style is unique: it is often described as a skilful blend of art brut and surrealism, combining photography, drawing, painting and sculpture. Life in South Africa has had a profound influence on his work. For many years, he documented the lives of marginal populations and rural communities. His photographs are recognisable not only for their black and white aesthetic, but also for their theatrical atmosphere and their ability to trigger intense and ambivalent emotions in the viewer.

Original symbols and characters frequently punctuate his creations. In this way, he invents a visual universe that explores the dark, unconscious aspects of the human being. The psychological and introspective dimension of his work leaves a lasting impression.

Exhibitions of the photographer

Roger Ballen's work has been exhibited in some of the world's most prestigious galleries and museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Tate Modern in London.

Rogen Ballen has also received numerous awards for his work. In particular, he has been awarded the Hariban Foundation prize. He also received the Ballenesque Award for his rich contribution to contemporary photography.

In Belgium, several exhibitions have highlighted his work, recognising his influence on the European art scene. At Le Hangar, we honoured him in 2022 with the exhibition Des Oiseaux. His exhibitions include Ballenesque: A Retrospective, a visual journey through his entire work. His exhibition Asylum of the Birds allowed him to explore spaces through painting, drawing and photography in a surprising suburb of Johannesburg.

Rogen Ballen's publications

Roger Ballen's work has been the subject of over fifteen publications. Among the most recent are:

  • Des Oiseaux (2022) a book in which the photographer explores the symbolism of birds in his work. It contains photographs by the artist in which birds play a central role. They are often associated with human beings and interiors.

  • The World According to Roger Ballen (2019) is a publication that plunges us into his personal and artistic universe. It presents his creative journey and his inspirations.

  • Ballenesque: A Retrospective (2017), a book that offers a complete retrospective of his work, through more than 300 photographs. The book offers an overview of the artist's development, from his earliest photographs to his most recent works.

  • Asylum of the Birds (2014) presents photographs of the interior of a house in Johannesburg, where Roger Ballen staged human beings and animals.

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