Jan Pypers

BELGIUM
Past top sale: 'Nightgardeners' ($6.900)

Jan Pypers is a photographer with a background in film production, bringing a cinematic sensibility to his meticulously staged photographic works. His art is defined by carefully composed images of scale models, constructed from materials such as stone, wood, and papier-mâché. However, these models exist only for a fleeting moment—after the photograph is taken, they are destroyed, reinforcing the impermanence of creation. Pypers’ work is both an exploration of storytelling and a meditation on the transient nature of constructed realities.

His first series, Nightgardeners, established his signature aesthetic, capturing eerie, atmospheric nocturnal scenes that blur the line between reality and artifice. His ongoing project, Diorama, further investigates themes of human disconnection from nature. Inspired by natural history museums, cinematic techniques, and the increasing urbanization of modern life, Pypers constructs small, self-contained worlds that challenge the viewer’s perception of authenticity and artificiality.

Trained in film, Pypers naturally integrates techniques of composition, lighting, and controlled perspectives into his work. Over time, his approach has shifted from capturing spontaneous moments to constructing highly staged, immersive environments that feel both intimate and expansive. His art serves as a bridge between personal memory and broader societal themes, offering a unique commentary on how humans interact with—and often distance themselves from—the natural world. Through his work, he invites viewers to reconsider the narratives that shape their understanding of space, memory, and the fragile boundaries between the real and the imagined.