Peter Hujar Retrospective at Jeu de Paume Explores Gender and Sexuality

The Jeu de Paume in Paris is hosting 'Peter Hujar. Speed of Life', a retrospective of the American photographer, on view until January 19, 2020. The exhibition coincides with a filmed conversation produced by the museum's magazine in partnership with artpress, titled 'Peter Hujar à la lumière du genre'. The discussion features art historian Thibault Boulvain, critic and curator Christian Caujolle, and artist SMITH, moderated by Étienne Hatt. They examine how sexuality, identity, and gender are central themes in Hujar's work, alongside life and death. Hujar's career paralleled the gay liberation movement and the onset of AIDS, which caused his death in 1987. He described his own practice as 'simple and direct photos of complicated and problematic subjects', a phrase found in his archives. His only solo book published during his lifetime, 'Portraits in Life and Death' (1976), underscores these themes. The conversation is available on the Jeu de Paume magazine website.