One of the most influential and important photographic artists of the 21st century, Roger Ballen’s photographs span over fifty years. He achieved international recognition through his unique and powerful use of drawing, painting, and collage alongside various sculptural techniques in elaborate installations, inventing a new, hybrid aesthetic, firmly rooted in the art of photography.

His strange and extreme works confront the viewer and challenge them to come with him on a journey into their own minds as he explores the deeper recesses of his own.

Over the past fifty years his distinctive style of photography has evolved using a simple square format in stark and beautiful black and white. In the earlier works in the exhibition his connection to the tradition of documentary photography is clear but through the 1990s he developed a style he describes as ‘documentary fiction’.

After 2000 it became clear in his work that the line between fantasy and reality became increasingly blurred, and he employed drawings, painting, collage and sculptural techniques to create elaborate sets. There was an absence of people altogether, replaced by photographs of individuals now used as props, by doll or dummy parts or, where people did appear it was as disembodied hands, feet and mouths poking disturbingly through walls and pieces of rag. The often-improvised scenarios were now completed by the unpredictable behaviour of animals whose ambiguous behaviour became crucial to the overall meaning of the photographs.

In his artistic practice Ballen has increasingly been won over by the possibilities of integrating photography and drawing. He has expanded his repertoire and extended his visual language. By integrating drawing into his photographic and video works, the artist has not only made a lasting contribution to the field of art but equally has made a powerful commentary about the human condition and its creative potential.

Roger Ballen has published over 25 books internationally. His works are in more than 50 of the most important international museum collections. Ballen has also been the creator of several acclaimed and exhibited short films that dovetail with his photographic series. Ballen was one of the artists that represented South African at the Venice Biennale Arte 2022.

He is also the founder and executive director of the Inside Out Centre for the Arts and the Roger Ballen Centre for Photography in Johannesburg. The Centre aims to promote an awareness of International and African related issues through art and educational programmes.

In September 2025, Thames and Hudson released Spirits and Spaces, Ballen’s first color book which reveals his creative vision in colour. In addition, in this same year he was the first person to illustrate Dante's Inferno which was published in Italian by Postcart of Rome.

• Express one’s psychological identity more effectively through photography
• Communicate deep emotions using a personal visual approach
• Understand and apply Roger Ballen’s method for critiquing photographic imagery
• Complete practical exercises in various locations to enrich one’s practice
• Explore how other art forms (drawing painting sculpture) can be integrated into photographic work
• Understand the principles of exhibiting presenting and enhancing a photographic series

• Develop critical analysis skills applied to photographic images
• Identify visual elements that strengthen emotional and psychological expression
• Produce intentional images in a variety of environments
• Experiment with the integration of other artistic practices into photography
• Present and promote one’s work in a professional manner

Photographers, visual artists and creatives who wish to explore the psychological dimension of their practice and develop a more expressive, introspective approach to image making.

This workshop is also intended for participants interested in image critique, building a personal artistic universe and integrating other visual disciplines such as drawing, painting or sculpture into their photographic work.

• Ability to operate a digital camera independently
• Personal equipment including camera, lenses, memory cards, hard drive, laptop with charger and editing software
• Participants are encouraged to look at Roger Ballen’s photographs and bring props that could create a connection between their work and his