Exhibition, Roger Ballen. Shadows of the Mind, inaugurated at National Art Museum of Moldova

The works of one of the most important contemporary photographers can now be admired in Chisinau. The exhibition, Roger Ballen. Shadows of the Mind, has been inaugurated at the National Art Museum of Moldova. The event gives the public the opportunity to discover the artistic universe of the South African photographer.

Roger Ballen has a career spanning more than five decades and his works have helped redefine contemporary photography through a unique visual language situated at the boundary between reality, imagination and artistic expression. His creations are included in the collections of major museums and art institutions around the world.

“Roger Ballen is among the most important photographic artists in the world. He is an artist appreciated for the absolutely individual context he creates. He constructs the image the way he feels it and offers us his own perspective on the world. His work, in a way, stands in opposition to traditional photography, being rooted in a different visual poetics,” said Tudor Zbarnea, director of the National Art Museum of Moldova.

State Secretary of the Culture Ministry Corneliu Cirimpei praised the depth of the exhibited works.

“I believe that art is something that must awaken certain emotions. I am impressed by the depth of the works and the way they are made. They approach reality in a strange manner; yet their colors and compositions invite you to meditate,” noted Corneliu Cirimpei.

The exhibition, Roger Ballen. Shadows of the Mind, will be open to the public until September 6, 2026.

Roger Ballen is one of the most important contemporary photographic artists. Born in 1950 in New York and settled in South Africa, he has a career of more than five decades. Known for his unique style, the artist combines photography, drawing, and installation to create images that explore the human subconscious, emotions, and the hidden facets of reality. His works are exhibited in prestigious museums and collections around the world.