Abele Navin / Detour

'I couldn't comprehend that excess is excess, regardless of context – not so different from addiction to alcohol or drugs. I had become addicted to work – I couldn't do without it.'

Architect Abele never set out to make a book. But while building a career in Japan, his undiagnosed bipolar disorder worsened under Tokyo's relentless pace. His camera became both an anchor and an outlet – a way to process what his mind couldn't yet explain.

Detour is the result: a striking blend of photography and personal narrative that captures the tension between inner chaos and urban order. Each image offers a window into the physical and psychological landscapes Abele inhabits, from moments of frenetic energy to profound solitude.

What does depression look like through a lens? How can art offer clarity in mental fog? Through raw imagery and honest reflection, Abele explores how creative expression can become a lifeline.

A powerful meditation on mental health and the act of seeing.

Language: English
Size: 25 x 20 cm, 164 pages
Binding: soft
Publisher: Pendle, co-published with Ortac, 2025