Paul Graham

Presentation 

In his series American Night, British photographer Paul Graham explores social marginalisation in the USA. He depicts marginalised individuals wandering alone in faded, almost whitewashed urban landscapes. These ghostly, almost invisible images contrast sharply with colourful shots of prosperous suburbs, highlighting the divide between wealth and poverty.

Paul Graham belongs to a generation of British photographers from the 1980s, such as Martin Parr, who revitalised colour documentary photography by combining a social approach with a subjective perspective. In his earlier series, such as Beyond Caring and Troubled Land, he denounced the social failings of Great Britain and the political tensions in Northern Ireland.

With American Night, he not only criticises social inequalities, but also questions the role of photography itself. By combining blurred images with colour-saturated scenes, he challenges the conventions of traditional documentary photography. This work challenges our perception, highlighting what we choose to see or ignore.

Loup de La Rivière – Co-director of Galerie Clémentine de la Féronnière

"We chose to present this work by Paul Graham because it resonates with the theme of our stand, which is dedicated to the concept of transmission in photography. It echoes Thomas Klotz's Periferia series, which we will be exhibiting at the gallery in September 2025. The exhibited image also resonated with the American election, which was taking place during the fair."

© Frédéric Stucin, Portrait of Paul Graham

Paul Graham, Man with hand over face, Augusta, 2002. From American Night series - Courtesy of Paul Graham and Galerie Clémentine de la Féronnière 

Paul Graham, White SUV outside new house. From American Night series - Courtesy of Paul Graham and Galerie Clémentine de la Féronnière 

Website

Galerie Clémentine de la Féronnière
51 rue saint-Louis-en-l’île, 75004, Paris, France

[email protected]