Backslash Gallery is pleased to welcome back American artist Fahamu Pecou, whose latest paintings and drawings address the representations of black men in modern society, engaging in particular with the idea of Négritude as famously symbolized by Aimé Césaire and Léopold Sédar Senghor.

Black Americans can cite numerous anecdotes about the various uses of the word ‘black’, one striking example being actor Gwyneth Paltrow’s description of hip-hop superstars Jay-Z and Kanye West’s West Watch the Throne Tour. Paltrow posted a photo of the pair on her Twitter account, accompanied by the message “Niggas in Paris, for real”. Her use of the word “nigger” created a storm on her Twitter account although she was simply repeating the word “niggas” used by Jay-Z and Kanye West as part of the title for a song off their eponymous album. Often heard within black American society, the word when written down by a white person raises questions of legitimacy, and the matter was very widely debated. Is it possible for a white person to use the word “nigger” in the light of history’s heavy burden of racism and slavery?

The NEGUS in Paris exhibition, inspired by Jay-Z and Kanye West’s song " Niggas in Paris", constitutes an acerbic analysis that challenges a certain conformism, particularly that displayed by Black American culture, which can distort the image of Négritude within the public debate. With his characteristic wit and feel for satire, Fahamu Pecou offers timely observations on the various conflicts relating to black iconisation as triggered by this debate and their influence on popular culture.
Pecou replaces the terms “niggas” with “Negus”, an Amharic word used to describe Ethiopian royalty in general, and Haile Selassie in particular. He uses this wordplay to subvert the endless hate-filled insinuations that surround use of the word “nigger”. The works in the exhibition feature a series of black Americans famous for their contributions to the history of Parisian art and culture, exploring their influence and distinction.

Le travail de Fahamu Pecou a été exposé dans le monde entier, notamment au Torrance Art Museum de Californie (2010), à la Bell-Roberts Gallery de Cape-Town (2009), au Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts de Brooklyn (2008), au Austin Museum of Art du Texas (2008), au High Museum of Art d’Atlanta (2005). Artiste particulièrement actif dans la sphère 2.0, Fahamu Pecou est l’instigateur de nombreux débats autour de la place de l’art contemporain dans la culture américaine, notamment par le biais du 15 Project, programme de discussions organisé au sein de centres d’art, de musées et d’universités aux Etats-Unis et en Europe. En 2011, l’artiste a obtenu le prix NBAF Impressions Emerging Artist Award.

Fahamu Pecou’s works have been shown worldwide, including at the Torrance Art Museum in California (2010), Bell-Roberts Gallery in Cape Town (2009), Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts in Brooklyn (2008), Austin Museum of Art in Texas (2008) and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta (2005). Fahamu Pecou has a particularly active online presence and has initiated a large number of debates on modern art’s place in contemporary American society, in particular via the 15 Project, a program of conferences held at arts centers, museums and universities in Europe and the USA. In 2011, he was awarded the NBAF Impressions Emerging Artist Award.

Pour la rentrée, les galeries du Haut Marais sont heureuses de vous convier à leurs vernissages communs, le jeudi 10 janvier 2013 à partir de 18h.


Situé entre les Arts & Métiers, République et le Carreau du Temple, le quartier du Haut Marais regroupe une dizaine de galeries d’art contemporain aux programmations éclectiques et internationales. Afin de vous proposer un parcours culturel riche et complet, elles se sont fédérées autour d’un événement commun pour leurs expositions de rentrée. 
La 6ème édition du Plan des Galeries du Haut Marais vous servira de guide à travers les dix espaces participant à ces vernissages communs.

The galleries from Haut Marais are pleased to invite you to their common openings, on Thursday, January 10, starting from 6pm.

Between Arts & Métiers, République and Carreau du Temple, in the center of Paris, the Haut Marais area has been invested by 10 contemporary art galleries, promoting international artists. In order to suggest an unforgettable journey, the 6th edition of the neighorhood map will be available in our spaces.