Roger Ballen (NYC, USA, 1950) is deemed to be one of the most essential photographers of the 21st century. His work has been exhibited worldwide and is being collected by institutions like MOMA, Tate Britain, Centre Pompidou, Maison Européene de la Photographie, and Musée de la Photographie à Charleroi. In this project we will show his photographs and videos around the concepts of playfulness and black humour. Both are prevalent in his work -even more lately- although other qualities have been usually pointed out like gruesomeness and madness. The prominence of the unconscious and the archetypes related to animal instincts and the imprint of childhood on adult life connect us with the darkest areas of our psyche when contemplating his work.
We have made a selection of iconic -but not so popular- black and white images as well as Polaroids with drawings. Roger had a long-lasting relationship with Polaroids. However, he never dared draw on them before. These artworks are brand-new, and they were started in 2023. They can be seen as an application on a new medium of his luscious and risqués drawings that have always been part of his scenographies and that became autonomous since the confinement of COVID-19. Camara Oscura was the first art gallery that ever exhibited these drawings worldwide, making them become a fundamental part of Roger Ballen’s oeuvre.
Last but not least, we will show the “Roger the Rat” film as a première in Spain. Produced in Johannesburg between 2015 and 2020, Roger creates and documents a part-human, part-rat creature who lives an isolated life outside of mainstream society.
In order to receive the press kit (press release and images) please contact us on (+34) 91 429 17 34 or e-mail info@camaraoscura.net
Contact us for availability and price of the artworks on (+34) 91 429 17 34 or e-mail juan@camaraoscura.net
