// ROGER BALLEN //

Photographer ROGER BALLEN grew up in New York surrounded by photography. His mother was an editor for MAGNUM and a gallerist. Initially a trained geologist, work brought Ballen to South Africa, where he has lived for over thirty years now. He says geology accustomed him to digging deep and bringing what he finds to the surface. Ballen’s gritty, raw, black-and-white portraits and still lifes with birds, drawings and found objects define his very own artistic space. A short documentary directed by BEN CROSSMAN shows Ballen at work in a structure outside Johannesburg, the location of which remains a well kept secret. Its dwellers, both people and animals, and the ever-present birds, are the cast who performs in this surreal, theatrical interior that Roger Ballen orchestrates. ROGER BALLEN’s gallery show ASYLUM OF THE BIRDS opens Wednesday, August 20, 6pm, at CHRISTOPHE GUYE GALERIE in Zürich. The artist will be present and sign his new book of the same title. (Photo: Roger Ballen, Blinded, 2005, Archival Pigment Print, 90 x 90 cm, Edition of 5) #apozzibility #everythingispozzible #pozzible #obodny #teamobodny #obodnylovesyou #rogerballen