Jo Ractliffe. Out of Place

30/01/2026 - 24/05/2026

Jeu de Paume 
1, Place de la Concorde 
 
75001 Paris

www.jeudepaume.org/   

 
Born in Cape Town in 1961, Jo Ractliffe is a major figure on the contemporary photography scene, although her work has rarely been exhibited in France. It is often associated with a discourse on the trauma of landscapes inherited from colonialism, apartheid, and the aftermath of the war in Angola.
Produced by the Jeu de Paume, this exhibition presents the evolution of Jo Ractliffe’s work from 1982 to her most recent series, created especially for the occasion. Her approach could be seen as a counterpoint to social documentary photography. Inspired more by literature than by journalism, the artist does not represent dramatic moments or violent scenes. Often after long periods of research and exploration of the places she studies, Ractliffe records the discreet but powerful traces of her country’s history, inviting viewers to reflect on what appears in the image and what remains invisible.
Curator : Pia Viewing