Paris Photo 2023

The sea has long inspired countless artists throughout history; poets, travellers, painters and photographers... This selection of works captures the essence of the ocean in all its forms, and highlights Man’s interference in nature.

Each of these photographers brings a unique perspective to the subject of the sea. Elger Esser and Gilbert Hage’s large-format, atmospheric seascapes convey a sense of timelessness, while Sonja Braas and Joumana Jamhouri’s surreal images play with our perceptions of scale and distance. Randa Mirza and Giulio Rimondi’s photographs pay tribute to the traditions and customs of coastal communities and reflect the essence of the Mediterranean atmosphere.

Franck Christen and Rania Matar highlight the intersection of the natural and the man-made, hinting at Man’s abusive tendencies towards our oceans with frantic fishing and massive pollution. Serge Najjar and the duo Laetitia Hakim & Tarek Haddad’s minimalism are an exercise in simplicity and restraint. Together, these works offer a multifaceted and nuanced view of the sea and its many meanings.

From the sublime to the everyday, the tranquil to the turbulent, the natural to the man-made, these photographs remind us of the complexity and beauty of the sea. This exhibition is an invitation to reflect on the beauty and power of the sea and to think about our responsibility to protect and preserve our oceans for future generations.