James Barnor, The Style in the Frame

James Barnor was one of the first to immortalize the elegance of a cosmopolitan Africa in the mid-20th century. In the heart of the Valois gallery alcoves, this selection of photographs and contact prints illustrates his historic collaboration with the Drum magazine during the 1960s. The result of a partnership between the Fondation Cartier and the RATP, this visual journey highlights the innovative gaze of the Ghanaian photographer on fashion and urban life of the time. These rare archives bear witness to an audacious aesthetic where African influences intertwine with European modernity. In echo to the works of Ibrahim Mahama, this ensemble offers privileged access to the glamour and social dynamism of a generation in full emancipation. A striking visual encounter to capture the essence of a style that revolutionized the history of imagery.