Paris noir : Artistic movements and anti-colonial struggles
From March 19 to June 30 2025, the Centre Pompidou presents the exhibition “Paris noir”. This exhibition traces the presence and influence of black artists in France between 1950 and 2000. It highlights 150 artists from Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean, whose works have rarely been shown in France.
A historical and artistic journey
“Paris noir” plunges visitors into a cosmopolitan Paris, a place of resistance and creation. The exhibition explores various artistic practices, from identity awareness to the search for transcultural plastic languages. It reveals the importance of Afro-descendant artists in redefining modernity and postmodernity.
Contemporary installations
Five installations have been produced specifically for the exhibition by Valérie John, Nathalie Leroy Fiévee, Jay Ramier and Shuck One. These contemporary works offer an up-to-date look at collective memory and anti-colonial struggles. They punctuate the exhibition and enrich the reflection on black artistic heritage in France.
A living cartography of Paris
At the heart of the exhibition, a circular matrix symbolizes the Black Atlantic, evoking the Caribbean and the “All-World” dear to Édouard Glissant. This metaphorical representation of the Parisian space underlines the circulations, networks and bonds of friendship between the artists. In this way, the exhibition presents a lively, never-before-seen cartography of Paris.
A tribute to the struggle for emancipation
The tour retraces half a century of struggles for emancipation, from African independence to the fall of apartheid. It also highlights the fight against racism in France. “Paris noir” pays tribute to the artists who contributed to these movements, and highlights their role in transforming the French artistic landscape.
Celebrating the richness and diversity of black artistic creation, “Paris noir” offers a unique opportunity to discover little-known works and reflect on contemporary issues linked to colonial and post-colonial history. This major exhibition testifies to the importance of recognizing and valorizing the contributions of Afro-descendant artists to France’s cultural heritage.
Center Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
