2025 has been a year of excitement and innovation in the Parisian art scene. From museum blockbusters to historical rediscoveries, the city has been buzzing with a plethora of art exhibitions that have captivated audiences from around the world. Here is a roundup of some of the most noteworthy shows that have graced the art landscape of Paris this year.
Énormément Bizarre at Centre Pompidou
The exhibition “Énormément Bizarre” at the Centre Pompidou was a mesmerizing journey into the eccentric world of collector Jean Chatelus. Showcasing nearly 400 works ranging from sculptures to vernacular objects, the exhibition offered a glimpse into the chaotic yet intriguing universe of Chatelus’s obsessions. The display challenged conventional notions of taste and decorum, providing a unique perspective on the art of collecting.
Paris Noir: Artistic Circulations and Anti-Colonial Resistance, 1950-2000 at Centre Pompidou
“Paris Noir” delved into the cultural hub that Paris became for Black intellectuals and artists post-World War II. Featuring works by artists from the Caribbean, Africa, and the Americas, the exhibition highlighted Paris as a center for Pan-Africanism and anti-colonialism. The show underscored the significant contributions of these artists to reshaping modernism and transcending boundaries of ethnicity and nationality.
David Hockney 25 at Fondation Louis Vuitton
The exhibition “David Hockney 25” at Fondation Louis Vuitton presented the largest showcase of David Hockney’s work to date. Spanning the past 25 years of the artist’s practice, the exhibition featured iconic paintings like “A Bigger Splash” and “Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy.” Visitors were treated to a diverse range of works, including portraits, landscapes, and immersive installations, reflecting Hockney’s boundless creativity and engagement with the world.
Tarik Kiswanson: The Relief at Institut suédois
Tarik Kiswanson’s exhibition “The Relief” at Institut suédois offered a poignant exploration of loss, displacement, and renewal. Featuring artworks that blurred the line between art and architecture, Kiswanson’s exhibition evoked a sense of history and memory through a delicate interplay of materials and forms.
Meriem Bennani: Sole Crushing at Lafayette Anticipations
Meriem Bennani’s installation “Sole Crushing” at Lafayette Anticipations was an immersive experience that enveloped visitors in a rhythmic exploration of collective energy. With over 200 mechanized flip-flops creating a hypnotic ambiance set to an original score, the exhibition captured the essence of jubilation and protest.
Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten at Grand Palais
The exhibition at Grand Palais celebrated the collaborative spirit of Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, and Pontus Hulten. Through iconic works and archival material, the show showcased the radical imagination and experimentalism that defined one of the most influential artistic collaborations of the 20th century.
Otobong Nkanga: I dreamt of you in colours at Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
At the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Otobong Nkanga’s exhibition explored the intricate relationships between people, land, and resources. Through a diverse range of artworks, including tapestries and installations, Nkanga addressed themes of consumption, global interconnectedness, and care.
Jacques-Louis David at Louvre Museum
The monumental retrospective of Jacques-Louis David at the Louvre Museum marked the bicentennial of the artist’s death. Showcasing iconic works like “Oath of the Horatii” and “The Coronation of Napoleon,” the exhibition highlighted David’s neoclassical rigor and political ambition, underscoring the power of images in shaping the world.
Minimal and Lygia Pape: Weaving Space at Fondation Pinault
The exhibitions “Minimal” and “Lygia Pape: Weaving Space” at Fondation Pinault offered a sensory-rich experience that redefined Minimalism and celebrated the pioneering work of Lygia Pape. From sculptural works made of local soil to immersive installations, the shows explored the interconnectedness between artwork, viewer, and environment.
Olga de Amaral at Fondation Cartier
The retrospective of Olga de Amaral at Fondation Cartier celebrated the Colombian artist’s groundbreaking work in textile art. Blending modernist ideas with Latin-American craft traditions, de Amaral transformed tapestry into sculptural forms that engaged light, texture, and space, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
