A wrestler flips upside down in mid-air above a wrestling ring. They wear grey shorts and blue boots, with a small tattoo visible on their arm.

Photographer Nick Ballon returns to the ring to explore The Virtue of Wrestling

Words: Rob Alderson
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Date: 6 March 2013; Work
Photography

Fantastic photographer and longtime friend of ours Nick Ballon has taken on wrestling before (as a theme rather than a crusade) most notably in his Viva Las Luchadores! project documenting the weird and wonderful world of Bolivian fighters. He’s returned to the ring in his latest project The Virtue of Wrestling, an intriguing series which takes us through the ropes to get up close and personal with the grapples and the throws and the lycra. By shooting against a black background, Nick has created an almost dream-like feel, like we’ve been thrown into a bout without really knowing why or how. Powerful, atmospheric stuff.

A person wearing a tight blue bodysuit and a black fabric mask over their head. They have a tattoo on their upper left arm and wear black wristbands. — Above
Nick Ballon: The Virtue of Wrestling (Art director Gemma Fletcher/Stylist Alexandra Day)

A wrestler in grey trunks and blue boots is captured mid-air, legs kicked up. They are positioned above another person lying on the canvas of a wrestling ring. — Above
Nick Ballon: The Virtue of Wrestling (Art director Gemma Fletcher/Stylist Alexandra Day)

A wrestler grimaces in pain while held in a tight headlock by another person. The person applying the hold wears a black wristband and has a tattoo of a figure on their arm. — Above
Nick Ballon: The Virtue of Wrestling (Art director Gemma Fletcher/Stylist Alexandra Day)

One person grips another person by the throat against a black background. The person being held has their eyes closed and a strained expression. — Above
Nick Ballon: The Virtue of Wrestling (Art director Gemma Fletcher/Stylist Alexandra Day)

A person in grey shorts and blue boots falls backwards onto the canvas of a wrestling ring. They are captured mid-air, arms outstretched, against a stark black background. — Above
Nick Ballon: The Virtue of Wrestling (Art director Gemma Fletcher/Stylist Alexandra Day)

A shirtless person lies on a pink surface with their arms raised and head tilted back. Their eyes are closed and mouth slightly open. — Above
Nick Ballon: The Virtue of Wrestling (Art director Gemma Fletcher/Stylist Alexandra Day)

Further Info

www.nickballon.com

About the Author

Rob Alderson

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Rob Alderson is a freelance writer, editor and strategist. He was previously editor-in-chief of It’s Nice That and WePresent, and editor of Design Week. He publishes the newsletter Undo, which tries to make sense of how AI is changing design work, the design process and the design industry.

Photographer Nick Ballon returns to the ring to explore The Virtue of Wrestling

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