From April 19th to 21st, 2024, Johanna Tordjman presented her new exhibition “American Tales” at Galerie Au Roi in Paris, showcasing her often overlooked portraits of America. From Los Angeles to New York, she encountered locals, revealing a unique side of America that starkly contrasts with the typical images conveyed by mainstream media.
Johanna Tordjman is a Paris-based French artist who began painting at the age of 25, finding in it a mode of expression that reflected her concerns about the fractures of our world. In early 2016, she showcased her initial works in Paris and held her first solo exhibition in Los Angeles the same year.
Traveling through the southern states from Los Angeles to New York, Johanna Tordjman met diverse communities, including the Compton Cowboys and the Navajo people in Arizona. She collected their stories through recordings, videos, and photographs. Back in Paris, inspired by these photographs, she created portraits while reminiscing about their stories, considering her work as a collaborative outcome, with herself also acting as a messenger.
The “American Tales” exhibition displayed 16 vibrant portraits that draw viewers in for a closer look at the subjects, capturing their essence without barriers. Each portrait tells a story, with the protagonists’ words conveyed through brief documentary videos or simple texts. Thus, “American Tales” offered a vision and understanding of individuals who, by investing in their communities, strive to make the world a fairer and happier place.
Johanna Tordjman’s “American Tales” exhibition serves as a profound reminder of America’s richness and diversity, transcending stereotypes and mainstream narratives to showcase the resilience and beauty of often marginalized communities.
