Paris Noir : an unprecedented exhibition on the influence of black artists in Paris (1950-2000)
The Centre Pompidou in Paris is hosting a major exhibition entitled "Paris Noir," dedicated to the black artists who left their mark on the French art scene between the 1950s and 2000.
From March 19 to June 30, 2025, this exhibition takes the public into an unknown world of creators from Africa, the Caribbean, and North America who not only enriched Paris’s artistic culture but also had to confront racial segregation.
A journey through the works of 150 unknown artists
The « Paris Noir » exhibition, which spans 2,000 square meters at the Centre Pompidou, presents 300 works by 150 artists. These creations have rarely been displayed in France and are, for the most part, unknown to the general public. The primary goal of this exhibition is to give justice to these artists, long overlooked, and to restore their work to its rightful place in the history of art. The title of the exhibition, « Paris Noir, » carries deep significance, as explained by Eva Barois de Caevel, co-curator: « The term ‘black’ does not refer to a specific country or continent; it symbolizes multiple experiences, those of Africans, African Americans, Caribbeans, and Afro-descendants. »
These artists came to Paris in the 1950s, drawn by the cultural vibrancy of the City of Light and the opportunity to develop their art in a major Western artistic hub. However, they faced the harsh reality of racial segregation, which influenced their journey and work. The exhibition seeks to fill a gap in the narrative of art history by shedding light on their often marginalized creations.
This exhibition aims to show that these artists are not only witnesses of an era but central figures who irreversibly shaped contemporary art.
Visitors will discover a variety of works that not only reflect the reality of the time but also address the social, political, and racial issues of the period, particularly the fight against colonialism and racial stereotypes. Through its artworks, the exhibition highlights long-silenced voices while celebrating the richness of the cultural and artistic heritage of Black people.
A tribute to exceptional artistic figures
By reconstructing the paths of these artists, often forgotten or erased from official narratives, the « Paris Noir » team has paid tribute to exceptional artistic figures. Artists like the Algerian Baya, the Martiniquan Aimé Césaire, and the American James Baldwin—often associated with other disciplines (such as literature or theater)—are now recognized for the breadth of their commitments and visual creations.
« Paris Noir » is thus much more than just an exhibition. It is an invitation to rediscover France through the lens of diversity and the influence of Black artists who, often in the shadows, shaped 20th-century French artistic culture.
Visit :
Paris Noir – Artistic Movements and Anti-Colonial Struggles from 1950 to 2000
Centre Pompidou, Paris
From March 19 to June 30, 2025
