Paris art exhibitions to see in May

Read our pick of the best Paris art exhibitions to see in May, from rock 'n' roll photography by Dennis Morris at MEP to David Hockney at Fondation Louis Vuitton

Dennis Morris, Bootsy Collins, Regent's Park, Londres, 1975 © Dennis Morris Paris art exhibitions
Dennis Morris, Bootsy Collins, Regent's Park, London, 1975
(Image credit: Dennis Morris)

From impressionist paintings to globally renowned pieces like the Mona Lisa, Paris is rooted in art history. With galleries like the Louvre and Musée de l'Orangerie it is easy to be swept up in the city’s dynamic culture which continues to inspire artists. Long the epicentre of the 20th-century art scene, and a hub of radical art – including the impressionists, surrealists, and dadaists, it remains home to some of the world’s most lauded museums and art schools. The Parisian art scene is certainly not stagnant, with a variety of exhibitions on display across the city, from new contemporary works to career-long retrospectives. We are here to help plan your next visit with our frequently updated guide to the city's art exhibitions.

If you are planning a quick getaway to the British capital, here are the best art exhibitions in London this month

 Paris art exhibitions: what to see in May 2025

‘The Art of Dressing – Dressing like an Artist’

Musée du Louvre-Lens until July 21 2025

artwork

(Image credit: Courtesy of gallery)

From Rembrandt to Warhol, a Paris exhibition asks: what do artists wear?’ ‘The Art of Dressing – Dressing like an Artist’ inspects the sartorial choices of artists by tracing artistic motivations behind personal style reflected in artworks – particularly self-portraits. The aim is to understand what the artist is desired to be portrayed as, rather than what they actually wore in reality.

Writer: Upasana Das

Read the full review here

‘David Hockney 25’

Fondation Louis Vuitton until 31 August 2025

David Hockney artwork from his Paris exhibition

(Image credit: © David Hockney. Photography: © Art Gallery of New South Wales / Jenni Carter)

More than 400 of his works, created between 1955 and 2025, are featured in this colourful show, bringing together a variety of mediums, from oil and acrylic painting, pencil and charcoal drawings to digital works, including those created on an iPad, and video installations. The blossoming of his distinctive figurative style takes shape in portraits, some of friends, some of those close to him as the artist explored his homosexuality.

Writer: Hannah Silver

Read the full review here

Not Quite Tomorrow

Perrotin Marais until 24 May

View of GaHee Park's exhibition 'Not Quite Tomorrow' at Perrotin Paris, 2025. Photo: Claire Dorn. Courtesy of the artist and Perrotin

(Image credit: Courtesy of the artist and Perrotin)

GaHee Park opens her second solo exhibition at the gallery showcasing a new series of paintings which capture idyllic scenes, with subtle hints at distortions. Still life is at the core of her work, and she uses figures as a main focal point. She carefully creates a narrative of intimacy and sensuality, while the distortion of human forms adds a tension to her works.

.perrotin.com

Dennis Morris— Music + Life

MEP until 18 May

Dennis Morris, The Sex Pistols, the Marquee Club, Soho, London, 23 July 1977 © Dennis Morris

Dennis Morris, The Sex Pistols, the Marquee Club, Soho, London, 23 July 1977 © Dennis Morris

(Image credit: Dennis Morris)

British artist and photographer Dennis Morris is celebrated in this retrospective, examining his imagery and his youth in London. This is the first retrospective dedicated to Morris in France, who is known for his intimate portraits of Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, the early Stone Roses and Oasis, and how these images defined pop culture.

www.mep-fr.org

Sophie Calle ‘Catch-up session’

Perrotin until 24 May

Screenshot 2025-05-01 141135

(Image credit: Courtesy of the artist and gallery)

Conceptual artist, photographer, videographer and even detective Sophie Calle creates an archive of abandoned projects that never came to fruition. Pondering on what would happen when she passes away, Calle wondered what would become of her works. Would they be in the confinement of a box? A coffin? The artist began to inventory her drafts, attempts and abandonments, with the intention to bring them to life in order to complete the unfinished.

.perrotin.com

Jürgen Klauke’ Transformer’

Zander Galerie Paris until 17 May

Jürgen Klauke

(Image credit: Courtesy of the artist and gallery)

Photographer Jürgen Klauke will showcase a selection of photographs from the early 1970s. The exhibition will spotlight his exploration in challenging conventional ideas of gender and how it is represented. It was during the 60s where Klauke used himself to showcase his artistic practice, using his body as a canvas to question ideas around identity and create visual statements.

zandergalerie.com

Staff Writer

Tianna Williams is Wallpaper*s staff writer. Before joining the team in 2023, she contributed to BBC Wales, SurfGirl Magazine, Parisian Vibe, The Rakish Gent, and Country Life, with work spanning from social media content creation to editorial. When she isn’t writing extensively across varying content pillars ranging from design, and architecture to travel, and art, she also helps put together the daily newsletter. She enjoys speaking to emerging artists, designers, and architects, writing about gorgeously designed houses and restaurants, and day-dreaming about her next travel destination.