Boarding House by Roger Ballen (signed)

Step into a haunting, surreal theatrical world where the boundaries of documentary photography, sculpture, and the human subconscious dissolve entirely.

Following the global critical acclaim of Outland and Shadow Chamber, legendary photographer Roger Ballen returns with Boarding House (ISBN: 9780714849522), published by the prestigious Phaidon Press.

In this masterpiece of psychological and aesthetic depth, Ballen documents an enigmatic, temporary warehouse sanctuary in South Africa. This structure functions as an interim refuge for transient individuals, displaced wanderers, and feral animals trying to survive day-to-day. However, rather than acting as a standard documentary, Ballen collaborates intimately with the location’s inhabitants to stage meticulously framed, dreamlike black-and-white tableaus.

The resulting visuals are packed with crude wall drawings, broken toys, wire sculptures, and cryptic objects whose exact meanings remain entirely out of reach. This collection captures an unsettling, claustrophobic universe that forces viewers to step outside their comfort zones and directly confront the primitive, isolated corners of the human psyche.

Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf

• Artistic Evolution: This monograph marks Ballen’s most formally sophisticated work, highlighting a deliberate shift toward heavily integrated sculptural details and graphic graffiti elements.
• Expert Analysis: Includes an insightful introductory essay by David Travis, the acclaimed former chair and chief curator of photography at the Art Institute of Chicago.
• Stunning Production Value: Published by Phaidon Press, ensuring pristine black-and-white printing quality that honors the stark contrast and gritty textures of Ballen’s signature style.
• Signed Edition: Signed and with a drawing by Ballen on the title page, and signed by Travis on the introduction page (see photos).

Book Specifications

• Publisher: Phaidon Press (2009)
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Pages: 128 pages
• Illustrations: Over 70 powerful black-and-white plates
• Dimensions: Approx. 11.1 x 12.0 inches
• Language: English

Whether you are a collector of contemporary fine art photography or a fan of surrealism, dark aesthetics, and deep psychological storytelling, Boarding House is an essential cornerstone addition to your library. [P4]

$ 100.00