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](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-_MG_3723.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chief Pare Maurice of Toma](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-_MG_3722.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Naaba Sigri of the Noaka Village](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-_MG_3736.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Teng-Saaba de Noaka](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-_MG_3738.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of Fada, Naaba Op Kupiendiélé](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/4-_MG_3727.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of Yatenga, Naaba Kiiba](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2-_MG_3726.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the Emperor le Mogho Naba Ban Oogo](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-_MG_3724.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty the King of the Gans the 29th](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10-_MG_3733.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chief Nafalé Traoré](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-_MG_3734.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - His Majesty Molo Sanou](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/8-_MG_3731.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chef GBouma Hounou](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/9-_MG_3732.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Codjo Okouta-Medji Bouraima](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2-02042011_jean-dominique_131-32.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Akakpo Donadje](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/3-03062011_jean-dominique_147-57.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Yessifou Olakere](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4-01062011_jean-dominique_142-35.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Akakpo Fabi](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/5-04042011_jean-dominique_134-8.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Thomas Amoussou](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6-03042011_jean-dominique_133-80.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Chasseurs Nagô - Kiton Akobi](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/7-03062011_jean-dominique_147-12.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Dedji Doflin / Toglede](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1-Capture-décran-2021-03-17-à-22.46.11.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Gbediga Adoko / Tronkpeto Deka](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2-Capture-décran-2021-03-17-à-23.00.37.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Toze Hede / Hedeta](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/3-Capture-décran-2021-03-17-à-22.55.48.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Lantefo / Sakpata](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/5-Capture-décran-2021-03-17-à-22.57.56.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Mitchai / Sakpata](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6-Capture-décran-2021-03-17-à-23.01.47.jpg)
![Jean-Dominique Burton - Vodoun - Combethe Andee Doulolougba / Dan Heke](https://www.gallery51.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4-Capture-décran-2021-03-17-à-23.01.14.jpg)
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