Five Free Must-See Gallery Shows in Paris This May

Paris galleries are presenting five free exhibitions this spring 2026. At Galerie Mayoral, Alexander Calder's relationship with Paris is explored through gouaches and totems, highlighting his invention of the mobile and his connections with Joan Miró and Piet Mondrian. At Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire, Michel Jocaille (born 1987) presents his first solo show, 'Lily of the Valley,' using laser-engraved velvet, crochet, rhinestones, and shells to explore the flower's symbolism of workers' struggles and camp aesthetics. Galerie Anne-Laure Buffard reunites Diane Esmond (1910–1981), a painter whose works were burned by Nazis at Jeu de Paume, with her granddaughter Adrianna Wallis (born 1981), who photographs objects from post-war Jewish inventories. At Galerie Templon, Alioune Diagne (born 1985) presents 'Saytu,' paintings inspired by two years of travel in Senegal to meet Bassari, Bédik, Dialonké, and Coniagui minorities, using pointillist 'unconscious signs' after his success at the 2024 Venice Biennale. At David Zwirner Paris, Mamma Andersson (born 1962) exhibits new engravings made at Atelier Tazé-Lipreau-Araï, featuring enigmatic Nordic scenes influenced by Hammershøi and Chinese prints; she is a winner of the eleventh drawing prize from the Daniel and Florence Guerlain contemporary art foundation.