Jade Joannès' Photography Captures Suburban Realities and Social Unrest in Paris Banlieues

Jade Joannès, a photographer recognized in BJP's 2025 Ones to Watch list, highlights the often-ignored suburbs of Paris in her series Royaumes d'incertitudes. By focusing on the working-class cities of Persan and Beaumont, she seeks to challenge stereotypes associated with the banlieues. Her photography reflects the social challenges and disillusionment faced by youth, particularly influenced by the 2016 death of Adama Traoré in police custody and the activism of his sister, Assa Traoré. Joannès captures elements like protest signs and murals, including a teddy bear in a 'France en colère' shirt, symbolizing national unrest. Graduating from École nationale supérieure d'arts de Paris-Cergy in 2019, she has produced other series such as Une histoire inachevée and La saison des murmures. Nominated by Jean-Christophe Godet, artistic director of Glaz Festival, her work emphasizes the dynamic search for identity in these vast suburban areas, which are eight times larger than central Paris yet frequently neglected. Joannès' artistic approach merges documentary style with personal perspectives, celebrating the beauty and defiance found within these communities.