Roger Ballen; South African 1950-; Harnessed Dove
Provenance : The Gary Eisenberg Collection.
Exhibited : 4th Berlin Biennale, Berlin, 25 March to 5 June 2006, another example from the edition exhibited.
Literature :
Notes : One of the most influential photographic artists of the 21st century. Ballen's 40-year career has captured elements of the strange and the extreme. Through his unique style of image-making, he confronts and challenges his viewers to not only encounter the fringes and recesses of society, but also their own minds.1 Over 35 years, Ballen's style has become instantly recognisable with his stark black-and-white images in a square format. The present lot exemplifies the simple, yet striking, approach Ballen takes toward his subjects. The bird sits solemnly in an empty room, the space's eeriness only enhanced through the visual disturbances of the spray-painted symbols on its walls. The dove sits chained to the table unable to free itself and take flight. Despite its simple presentation, the work can be regarded as ambiguous, not conveying a singular message but rather allowing the viewer to take an introspective approach towards its interpretation. 1. Roger Ballen (no date) Roger Ballen: Photographer, About Roger, online, https://www.rogerballen.com/about/roger-ballen/, accessed 16 August 2024.
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