Roger Ballen is one of the most important photographers of his generation. He was born in New York in 1950 but has been living and working in South Africa for over 30 years. In his earlier works his connection to the tradition of documentary photography is clear but through the 1990s he developed a style he describes as ‘ballenesque’.
In his recent series he has employed drawings, painting, collage and sculptural techniques to create elaborate sets. Ballen has invented a new hybrid aesthetic in these works but one still rooted firmly in photography.
Curated by Colin Rhodes, this touring survey exhibition is Ballen's first solo exhibition in New Zealand. Roger Ballen's Theatre of the Mind is a provocative collection of 75 black and white images from the last two decades, and features three videos including the artist's award-winning music video he directed for South African rap-rave group Die Antwoord.
This exhibition was developed by Colin Rhodes at the University of Sydney and toured by Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery in partnership with Tauranga Art Gallery.
