Jean-Dominique Burton

Jean-Dominique Burton

Voodoo

09/05/2008

21/06/2008

Gallery FIFTY ONE

Voodoo is a solo exhibition of Jean-Dominique Burton’s (°1952) photographical encounter with an ancient, knowledgeable and powerful form of spirituality. Throughout his journey in Dahomey (present-day Benin) the Belgian photographer Burton was steadily confronted with one mysterious word: “Vodoun”,Voodoo.

Read the full press release here.

Jean-Dominique Burton - Voodoo, Avleketenon/Avlekete, 2007
Jean-Dominique Burton - Voodoo, Avleketenon/Avlekete, 2007
Jean-Dominique Burton - Voodoo, Mamissi Togbesson Toffodji/Koffi, 2007
Jean-Dominique Burton - Voodoo, Mamissi Togbesson Toffodji/Koffi, 2007

Jean-Dominique Burton

After studying printing and graphic design, it was the fascination with the image that naturally led Jean-Dominique Burton to photography.
Like an archaeologist or an ethnologist, he examines the traces on the ground, the scars, the masked faces, the faces of artists or collectors.

In 2005 Burton arrived in the West-African country, Burkina Faso, to begin a complete black and white portrait gallery on the Naabas: traditional chiefs, kings and even the emperor, with power and wisdom, chosen from a diversity of the twelve cultural entities of the country (Mossi, Lobi, Bobo, Gan, Bissa)

The face-to-face work of Burton with the Naabas shows realistic, but raw images. Each king is on his throne, without any entourage or assistance. Disturbing elements have been taken out of the frames; Burton captured a moment of timeless waiting, while traveling from village to village with only his compact photo studio. This contemporary photography is depicted as traditional royal portrait paintings.

His project ‘Voodoo’ is a series of Jean-Dominique Burton’s photographical encounter with an ancient, knowledgeable and powerful form of spirituality. Throughout his journey in Dahomey (present-day Benin) the Belgian photographer Burton was steadily confronted with one mysterious word: “Vodoun”, Voodoo. His interest in Voodoo led Burton to seek out for the great Vodouns (deities) and Vodounons (initiates of the Vodoun religion). His series of encounters and exchanges brings today’s public face-to-face with a fascinating world of respect and legends, frequently being symbolized by unbelievable abstract shrines that are a subtle mix of sculpture, painting and installation.

biography

Born in Belgium in 1952
Lives and works in Belgium.

Jean-Dominique Burton - Kaya Naba Sigri
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chief Pare Maurice of Toma
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chef Pare Maurice, Ville de Toma (Ethnie Samo), 2005, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Naaba Sigri of the Noaka Village
Jean-Dominique Burton - Kaya Naba Sigri (Ethnie Mossi), 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Teng-Saaba de Noaka
Jean-Dominique Burton - Teng-Saaba de Noaka, 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of Fada, Naaba Op Kupiendiélé
Jean-Dominique Burton - Sa Majesté le Roi de Fada, Naaba Op Kupiendiélé, Ville de Fada N'Gourma (Ethnie Gurtmanché), Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of Yatenga, Naaba Kiiba
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of Yatenga, Naaba Kiiba, 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the Emperor le Mogho Naba Ban Oogo
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the Emperor le Mogho Naba Ban Oogo, 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of the Gans the 29th
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of the Gans the 29th, 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chief Nafalé Traoré
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chief Nafalé Traoré, 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty Molo Sanou
Jean-Dominique Burton - Sa Majesté le Molo Sanou (Ethnie Bobo), 2005, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chef GBouma Hounou
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chief GBouma Hounou, 2006, Gelatin silver print, 55 x 45 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Codjo Okouta-Medji Bouraima
Jean-Dominique Burton - Codjo Okouta-Medji Bouraima, Banon, 1941, 2011, Pigment print, 30 x 30 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Akakpo Donadje
Jean-Dominique Burton - Akakpo Donadje, Mayamon, 1946, 2011, Pigment print, 30 x 30 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Yessifou Olakere
Jean-Dominique Burton - Yessifou Olakere, Assaba, 1921, 2011, Pigment print, 30 x 30 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Akakpo Fabi
Jean-Dominique Burton - Akakpo Fabi, Lougba, 1926, 2011, Pigment print, 30 x 30 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Thomas Amoussou
Jean-Dominique Burton - Thomas Amoussou, Bobe, 1946, 2011, Pigment print, 30 x 30 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Kiton Akobi
Jean-Dominique Burton - Kiton Akobi, Gouka, 1932, 2011, Pigment print, 30 x 30 cm
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Dedji Doflin / Toglede
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Dedji Doflin / Toglede
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Gbediga Adoko / Tronkpeto Deka
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Gbediga Adoko / Tronkpeto Deka
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Toze Hede / Hedeta
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Toze Hede / Hedeta
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Lantefo / Sakpata
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Lantefo / Sakpata
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Mitchai / Sakpata
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Mitchai / Sakpata
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Combethe Andee Doulolougba / Dan Heke
Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Combethe Andee Doulolougba / Dan Heke