A Kind of Paradise: Colonial-Era Photography in Contemporary Art

A Kind of Paradise: Colonial-Era Photography in Contemporary Art examines how contemporary artists reinterpret colonial-era photography to uncover overlooked and polyphonic histories. Bringing together internationally acclaimed artists from and across the diasporas of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Oceania, the exhibition explores how historical images continue to shape ideas of identity, memory, and belonging through poetic, critical, and visionary practices.

 

Among the participating artists is Raphaël Barontini, who presents a new monumental work titled The Golden Ladies(2026), a 10-meter-long textile piece engaging with archival imagery and histories of representation. The work reflects the exhibition’s broader exploration of how contemporary artists reinterpret colonial visual material to create new spaces for reflection, reinterpretation, and collective healing.