---
title: "Spirits and Spaces: An exploration of the human psyche"
description: "Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces creates a world where animals and art brut-like drawings dominate, and humanity is reduced to obscure figures or fragmented body parts."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "BOOK EXCERPT"
author: "Roger Ballen"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/roger-ballen/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-11-spirits-and-spaces-an-exploration-of-the-human-psyche/"
published: "2026-05-11T07:00:00"
updated: "2026-05-08T15:32:37"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 171
---

# Spirits and Spaces: An exploration of the human psyche

> Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces creates a world where animals and art brut-like drawings dominate, and humanity is reduced to obscure figures or fragmented body parts.

By Roger Ballen · Published 11 May 2026, 09:00 SAST · Updated 8 May 2026, 17:32 SAST

## Content

Roger Ballen’s latest publication, Spirits and Spaces, is a photobook presenting universes that are both intimate and unsettling. This volume continues his lifelong commitment to probing the edges of visual and psychological experience. Here is a selection of photos from Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces.

\*\*\*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/MBG7gChv6wjVzUyyjDL4irIM8p0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Perplexed2019_RogerBallen_301620.jpg)

*Perplexed, 2019. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8u9WOywKgGzyuEVjof3jb87i0QE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Premonition2021_RogerBallen_701208.jpg)

*Premonition, 2021. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/SAe-RB3rUO5SmljIPqf-2ER2UnU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Syncronized2017_RogerBallen_939748.jpg)

*Syncronized, 2017. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LRGkoBBxIi6w-7s7YhT2fR6tBXA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Combustion2024_RogerBallen_628138.jpg)

*Combustion, 2024. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/AoJQpUYiIyLeaikaAKSIpuEq0I4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Evacuate2019_RogerBallen_868560.jpg)

*Evacuate, 2019. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/v4nxVvZ6tTKqlS6kWCmi9xHunHQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Enfold2021_RogerBallen_353957.jpg)

*Enfold, 2021. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/eP1_nDVifEMkeBudRolAmn86SUM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Despondent2020_RogerBallen_880929.jpg)

*Despondent, 2020. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/0kLv2Vy-9BvuvweaYQg59ynTDSE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/CuriousCat2023_RogerBallen_924030.jpg)

*Curious Cat, 2023. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/U53GA-djtFWlHqaIj99Zpv7Lyeg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/FirstLove2018_RogerBallen_169066.jpg)

*First Love, 2018. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/zkyVNrtKU2xeWYYLH9kRAHARWUc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Follower2018_RogerBallen_330642.jpg)

*Follower, 2018. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/QO2sqJrC3H6C8yHkS1-ePANW3sw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Intruder2020_RogerBallen_697358.jpg)

*Intruder, 2020. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/N9wQaiz3x9FdFwrQdXmUz9u05iI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/LeopardLady2019_RogerBallen_207931.jpg)

*Leopard Lady, 2019. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

![roger-ballen-art](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DTJiA4xftFgZvlATNTuymKHiTrw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Omnipresent2022_RogerBallen_968828.jpg)

*Omnipresent, 2022. (Photo: Roger Ballen)*

*Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces is published by Thames and Hudson. It is available at a retail price of R1,375 from [Daily Maverick shop](https://shop.dailymaverick.co.za/product/roger-ballen-spirits-and-spaces/).*

*Don’t miss the [film premiere of Spirits and Spaces](https://events.dailymaverick.co.za/?_gl=1%2Aoa61o%2A_gcl_au%2ANjY0NTE1MjE2LjE3NzY5MjU4Mjc.%2A_ga%2AMTM1NDMyNDcxOC4xNzY5MTQ4MDQ1%2A_ga_Y7XD5FHQVG%2AczE3NzgyMzMyNzQkbzM5JGcxJHQxNzc4MjM3MzE4JGo2MCRsMCRoNjU4OTU3OTk0JGQzVjVCQTFRTzJHUWVBbnlsUDdWbHNUSFZBanlOS0IwM0xB), including a conversation with director****Gabriella Blumberg and Roger Ballen hosted by Marianne Thamm****on online 12 May from 12pm to 1pm.*

![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/attachments/2991/RogerBallen_600x250_543472.gif)