In these spaces: contemporary photographer Jo Ractliffe presents her work at the Jeu de Paume.

The Jeu de Paume is hosting an exhibition exploring the work of photographer Jo Ractliffe. Visitors can discover her striking images in En ces lieux from January 30 to May 24, 2026.

Jo Ractliffe is a contemporary photographer from South Africa. Over her more than 40-year career, she has gained recognition on the international stage, yet she remains relatively under the radar in France. The Jeu de Paume has therefore chosen to spotlight this artist, whose work critically examines her country's history and the lasting legacy of colonialism in South Africa.

From January 30 to May 24, 2026, the exhibition En ces lieux presents 11 sets and collections by Jo Ractliffe. These photographs are united by a common theme: place. The images depict landscapes and stories, but also what is absent—what a country or a people lack. The photographer invites viewers to look beyond what is immediately visible, to gain deeper insight into what lies beneath the surface.

The exhibition at Le Jeu de Paume takes visitors on a journey through 40 years of history, work, and striking images. Throughout the display, you can observe how Jo Ractliffe's style and technique have evolved over time. As her career progresses, the photographer broadens her horizons, travels more widely, and deepens the complexity of her perspective. Ractliffe adopts a documentary approach to better tell the stories of the world around her. Deeply impacted by the legacy of segregation and apartheid in South Africa, she seeks to understand the conflicts that divide her nation and those beyond its borders.

The artist doesn't focus on the frontline of armed conflicts, protests, or major political events. Instead, she turns her gaze to everyday life, capturing seemingly ordinary landscapes that carry within them the weight of a violent, unequal system. Jo Ractlifffe preserves memories through her work, revealing all the facets of South Africa's complex history.

Through her work, Jo Ractliffe explores the concept of the "afterlife": what remnants of colonization, apartheid, and wars between communities still linger today? Rooted in the present moment, the artist aims to define the identity of a nation and its people—constantly evolving—by engaging directly with those who live there.

The Jeu de Paume invites us to explore the work of a dedicated artist, whose photography offers a compelling view of a troubled region.