Paul Kodjo's First French Monographic Exhibition at Rencontres d'Arles
From July 6 to October 4, 2026, the Rencontres d'Arles will present the inaugural monographic exhibition in France dedicated to Ivorian photographer Paul Kodjo (1939–2021) at Croisière, located at 59 boulevard Emile Combes, 13200 Arles. This showcase will highlight his dynamic depictions of nightlife in 1970s Abidjan, infused with afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, and soul. Much of Kodjo's work was almost lost until Ananias Léki Dago, another photographer, uncovered around 30,000 negatives in the mid-2000s. With backing from the musée du quai Branly and UCLA's Modern Endangered Archives Program, parts of this collection have been revived. The exhibition will also feature Kodjo's contributions to fashion photography and his involvement in Côte d'Ivoire's photoromans, which narrate the 'Ivorian miracle.'
Key facts
- Paul Kodjo (1939–2021) is considered a pioneer of Ivorian photography.
- The exhibition is his first monographic show in France, held at the Rencontres d'Arles.
- Exhibition dates: July 6 to October 4, 2026, at Croisière, 59 boulevard Emile Combes, 13200 Arles.
- Ananias Léki Dago recovered about 30,000 negatives from a suitcase in the mid-2000s.
- Restoration was supported by the musée du quai Branly and a new campaign in 2025 with UCLA's Modern Endangered Archives Program.
- Kodjo co-founded MAMEDIS agency with Roger Gnoan M'Bala and Samba Koné (O'Kallas Kane).
- He worked as a photojournalist in Paris, covering May 68 events.
- He directed TV films like Sah-Sandra.
- His work is compared to Malick Sidibé's documentation of Bamako's youth.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Kodjo
- Ananias Léki Dago
- Malick Sidibé
- Roger Gnoan M'Bala
- Samba Koné
Institutions
- Rencontres d'Arles
- musée du quai Branly
- UCLA Modern Endangered Archives Program
- MAMEDIS
Locations
- Abidjan
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Paris
- France
- Arles
- Bamako
- Mali
- California
- United States