Pharrell Williams has dropped a new hit in Paris, and this time, it’s not a single, but an art exhibition titled “FEMMES” at Perrotin. Curated by the Grammy award–winning musician, the exhibition features nearly 40 artists, including Carrie Mae Weems, Nina Chanel Abney, and Todd Gray. The show, which includes a range of Black artists, aims to spotlight the influence and narrative of Black womanhood. The exhibition will be on view until April 19th.
The exhibition follows Pharrell’s first showcase with Perrotin, “G I R L,” in 2014, coinciding with his album of the same name. This first showcase paid tribute to femininity, featuring work from 37 artists. “FEMMES,” on the other hand, focuses primarily on the experiences of Black women.
Williams told Euronews, “Women have been such a force in my life from my grandmothers to my mother, to my wife, my daughter, my nieces, my cousins, people on my team, and people on our extended bench. Women are an amazing force for good in the world.”
“FEMMES” includes works that reflect the complex narratives of Black women. It includes several works of textile art, a field historically tied to women’s labor, by Haitian artist Kathia St. Hilaire and Zimbabwean artist Georgina Maxim. Elsewhere, Williams has selected dynamic portraiture by artists such as South African artist Zanele Muholi, and American artist Kenturah Davis, that confronts and redefines Black identity. The exhibition also shows several works of collage emphasizing the visual language of pop culture, with works by American artists Mickalene Thomas and Tschabalala Self.
Seven of Perrotin’s artists have contributed work to the exhibition. Alongside St. Hilaire and Abney, participating artists include Leslie Hewitt, Alex Gardner, Tavares Strachan, Chiffon Thomas, and Zéh Palito.
“FEMMES” also showcases other notable Black artists, including South African artist Esther Mahlangu and American Betye Saar, as well as rising talents Emma Prempeh and Gabriel Moses.
