Bio

Jax Buytaert is a photographer and visual artist whose work explores the poetic tension between the familiar and the mysterious. His images, often captured during solitary nocturnal wanderings, create atmospheres that resonate with both beauty and unease. Inspired by the haunting works of Léon Spilliaert, Dirk Braeckman, and David Lynch, he focuses on themes of solitude, liminal spaces, and the uncanny.

From a young age, he found himself drawn to the transformative qualities of the night. Childhood memories of hearing the phrase “naar het witte bal gaan” (a Belgian idiom for going to bed) sparked his imagination. For him, the white duvet became a gateway to a dreamlike realm that shrouded reality with a veil of mystery. This fascination with the night has continued to influence his creative vision, becoming the foundation for his artistic exploration.

Rainy nights, in particular, hold a special allure for him. The way water transforms streets into reflective canvases, the muffled sounds of raindrops, and the absence of crowds create an otherworldly stage for his photography. He views such moments as opportunities to wander, explore, and immerse himself in the world’s quieter, hidden layers. Armed with his camera, he ventures into suburban neighborhoods and deserted spaces, capturing fragments of life that often go unnoticed. The interplay of light and shadow, the artificial glow of windows, and the desolate charm of empty streets evoke a sense of longing and curiosity in his work.

Empty school buildings at night, with their silent corridors and faint echoes of activity, evoke a unique liminal space that resonates deeply in his art. These places of transition—where time and context seem suspended—capture the essence of his photographic vision. Liminal spaces are central to his work: those in-between places, neither here nor there, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. His images often feature mundane locations—suburban homes, shallow corridors, empty rooms—but through his lens, they are transformed into enigmatic realms. Inspired by Spilliaert’s ghostly atmospheres and David Lynch’s surreal narratives, he aims to evoke feelings of unease and wonder, leading viewers into worlds where clarity is elusive.

Artificial light is another recurring motif in his photography. He describes the strange allure of illuminated suburban windows, which often serve as portals into the unseen stories of others. Much like the dwaallicht (will-o'-the-wisp) of folklore, these glowing windows beckon him into unknown territories, both physical and emotional. This fascination with light and shadow mirrors the work of Spilliaert, whose haunting paintings of Ostend’s empty streets and shadowy interiors have left a profound impact on his approach to composition.

His creative process is deeply intuitive and guided by chance. Working primarily with analog photography, he relishes the tactile, meditative nature of film development in his darkroom. The deliberate slowness of the analog process allows him to reflect on the fleeting moments he captures. His photographs are not staged but discovered, relying on his unique perspective and sensitivity to atmosphere to create images that feel both spontaneous and deliberate.

Psychology plays an integral role in his art. He sees his work as a form of escapism and a way to explore the human condition. By capturing spaces that feel both personal and universal, he invites viewers to confront their own feelings of solitude, nostalgia, and disconnection. His exploration of "the uncanny"—a concept described by Freud as something both familiar and alien—adds another layer of complexity to his work.

Despite the quiet, contemplative nature of his art, he is deeply connected to the narratives of the spaces he photographs. Suburbia, with its eerie stillness and hidden lives, is a recurring subject in his work. He often photographs suburban homes at night, drawn to the light spilling from their windows and the unspoken stories within. These images reflect his fascination with the ordinary and his ability to reveal its extraordinary qualities.

As an artist, he aspires to create work that resonates with viewers on an emotional level. His photographs challenge perceptions and invite interpretation, leaving more questions than answers. Drawing inspiration from artists like Braeckman and Spilliaert, he sees himself as part of a tradition that values atmosphere and introspection over explicit narrative.

His art is not just a creative practice but a way of life—a means of understanding himself and the world around him. His work bridges the gap between the visible and the invisible, the familiar and the unfamiliar, offering viewers a glimpse into the haunting beauty of liminal spaces.