In the series Light & Shadows, Mark De Roeck’s images explore the boundaries between light and shadow. In photography, shadow is not merely the absence of light, but an essential element that adds depth and drama to images. Shadows do not only conceal—they also reveal the poetry of the everyday, transforming ordinary scenes into intriguing compositions.
The photographs depict spaces—environments that could be described as non-spaces—seemingly undefined and desolate, evoking a sense of the unheimliche. They create a sometimes oppressive and uncanny atmosphere that challenges the viewer and invites reflection. These spaces are imbued with a cinematic quality, as if they were scenes from a story without beginning or end, in which the absence of human figures allows the space itself to become the main protagonist.
Although human presence is absent, its traces are unmistakable. The subtle traces we leave behind in the world around us—a forgotten object, a disturbed space—tell stories about who we are and what we leave behind. These traces add a layer of meaning to the images and invite the viewer to uncover the untold narrative.
As a medium of light, photography often captures the fleeting nature of moments, but here the transience of everyday life seems to give way to stillness, reinforced by the nocturnal and dark character of the environment.
The combination of composition and thoughtful use of light creates a visual tension that challenges the viewer and invites them to delve deeper into the images, and to experience the visual power of light and shadow.
