Maverick Life BOOK EXCERPT Spirits and Spaces: An exploration of the human psyche
Maverick Life
BOOK EXCERPT
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
11 May 2026
Roger Ballen: Spirits and Spaces. (Images: Thames and Hudson)
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.
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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.
Don’t miss the film premiere of Spirits and Spaces, including a conversation with director Gabriella Blumberg and Roger Ballen hosted by Marianne Thamm on online 12 May from 12pm to 1pm.
With https://pokiesinfo.com open in the background, Ballen’s choice to show animals as the dominant figures while humans appear as fragments struck me as a mirror of how we often feel overshadowed by our own instincts. The art brut drawings mixed into the photographs give the work a raw, almost childlike dread that lingers long after viewing. I’ve been trying to articulate why these images feel so familiar, and I think it’s that uneasy recognition of the parts of ourselves we rarely look at directly.
Tried out Nano Banana 2 for generating images from text descriptions. The updated version feels more responsive and the output quality has improved noticeably. Works well across different styles from photorealistic to illustrated.
What a fascinating exploration of the human psyche! Your reflection on how spaces influence our spirits resonates deeply. I wonder, have you observed any particular environments that seem to mirror the chaotic energy of games like subway surfers? I recently experienced a similar contrast while visiting an urban skate park—so vibrant yet introspective.
I love how Ballen’s Spirits and Spaces pulls you into that eerie, animal‑filled world—makes you want to linger over each page. Speaking of lingering, a stage timer helps me keep track of time when I’m sharing the book with friends or setting up a small exhibit.
Ballen’s focus on the subconscious and mental grids reminds me of how strategy games challenge our internal logic. Finding order in chaos is a human necessity. When I need to reflect and refresh my brain, I enjoy playing ブロックブラスト , which offers a structured yet stimulating psychological escape.