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contact

Studio:
St Leonards on Sea,
East Sussex, UK

T +44(0) 1424 539 275
M +44(0) 7760 225 699
E hello@nickballon.com

General Enquiries:
Joe & Shannon
E studio@nickballon.com

 

Represented by:

Wyatt-Clarke + Jones
James
T +44(0) 20 7580 7570
E james@wyattclarkejones.com

 

 

Website by Intropik

 

biography

Nick Ballon’s (b.1976) journalistic sensibility is at the heart of his photographic practise. He has a way of discovering those little ticks or details about a place, person or situation that others miss. Everything centres around his limitless curiosity. With each project he invests hours into research and development. Studying and hunting for nuances and irreverent details that allow him to forge a new route into a particular subject.

Nick’s best work occupies a state of limbo. Layers of contradictions equally intrigue and seduce the viewer and things are often not what they seem on the surface. He is interested in the moments that sit halfway between real and constructed. His compositions are graphic but retain warmth, while an uplifting colour palette illuminates an often mysterious or dark subject matter.

Nick is a master observationalist, seeking out the moment of commitment when the searching, waiting and patience all come together. The work is quiet, yet attentive. Applying a sophisticated and sensitive approach to storytelling which unifies a diverse range of subjects. Ballon’s practise defies categorisation. His portfolio is a collision of subjects from the worlds of politics, art, science, history, sport and popular culture.

For the last decade Nick’s personal work has focused exclusively on his Anglo-Bolivian heritage, exploring socio-historical ideas of identity and place, with a particular focus on the concept of ‘foreignness’ and belonging. This work began at an auspicious time for both parties. Having grown up in the U.K, Nick began to unravel his heritage through annual trips to the country, discovering and observing through the people and communities he encountered. At the same time, Bolivia was at a point of flux. The impact of globalisation, the growing middle class and the sudden accessibility of technology resulted in a rapid information evolution. All of a sudden people could look outwards. While people embraced their indigenous culture, they began to be massively influenced by the west. It was a dynamic period of change and a poignant time of discovery for the photographer.

The work has started to build a collective narrative of a country often forgotten. Projects have included Ezekiel 36:36, a curious exploration of Bolivia’s national airline, the spectacle of open-air wrestling in ‘Viva Las Luchadoras!’ and most recently ‘The Bitter Sea’, which looks at land-locked Bolivia, and its painful longing to reclaim back it’s sea lost in a war to Chile over 129 years ago.

By Gem Fletcher

selected clients

Facebook
Patek Philippe
Maharam
TIME
WSJ
Bloomberg Businessweek
New York Times
Der Spiegel
Guardian Weekend
FT Weekend
Sunday Times Magazine
El Pais
NOWNESS
Travel+Leisure
Vogue Germany
Monocle
GQ
Esquire
Royal Academy
Weiden + Kennedy
Mother
Adam & Eve
DDB
BBH
Saatchi & Saatchi UK
 

 

 

exhibitions

2023 
RA Summer Show (Group Show)

2018 
Kiosko Galeria. Santa Cruz, Bolivia - Ekeko (solo show)

2018
CAF. La Paz, Bolivia - Ekeko (solo show)

2018
Bargehouse Gallery. London, UK. We Feed The World (group show)

2017
CAF. La Paz Bolivia - Ekeko (group show)

2015
NCM/Foyle Foundation Commissions - The Bitter Sea

2014
M&CSaatchi, College des Bernardins, Paris - Together We Go Further

2014
Guernsey Photography Festival - Faith Family Community

2014
CAF, La Paz, Bolivia - Long Night of Museums

2014
Victor Hunt Gallery, Brussels, Belgium - Pierre and The Almond Tree

2014
Four Corners Gallery - A Year In Development

2014
Fuse Art Space, Bradford - Portrait Salon (group show)

2014
Strand Gallery - Terry O’Neill (group show)

2013
Phoenix Gallery - Brighton Photo Fringe (group show)

2013
KK Outlet - Ezekiel 36:36 (solo show)

awards

2022
37th AOP Awards - Silver award Still Life Category

2017
CR Photography Annual - Best In Book & Personal

2016
CR Photography Annual - Editorial

2015
CR Photography Annual - Two projects featured

2015
Prix Pictet nomination 'Disorder' (The Cold Road)

2014
CR Photography Annual - Best In Book (Ezekiel 36:36)

2014
JGS Photography Contest - Runner up (The Bitter Sea)

2014
Arles Photo Festival, book show - Ezekiel 36:36

2014
PDN Photo Annual Finalist - Virtue of Wrestling

2014
Lens Culture Awards Finalist

2013
Terry O'Neill Awards Finalist - Ezekiel 36:36

2013
TIME - best photobooks of 2013 - Ezekiel 36:36

2013
Portrait Salon - Ezekiel 36:36 & Virtue of Wrestling

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