Having worked together before, FEMMES builds and expands on the two men’s past collaborations, including the 2008 design exhibition Perspectives, which introduced Pharrell to Perrotin’s world and sparked an artistic dialogue. It also follows the success and focus of the 2014 group show G I R L at Perrotin Paris, inspired by Pharrell’s eponymous hit album.

As Black women are important figures of personal inspiration for Williams, their kaleidoscopic representation is the core matrix of FEMMES, with the work of artists of African descent across generations serving as its foundation. At its heart, FEMMES is an anthem, leading the marching band of Black joy and creating space for ongoing and future cultural shifts. It is a celebration and a call to honour the artists who transform the world through the power of their hands. With an unwavering commitment to art in all its forms, the curator-gallerist duo invites us on a journey through a creative ecosystem where humanity takes centre stage and reigns supreme.

Muholi’s photograph Simthembile I, East London, 2017 was the work selected to be on view. It forms part of their ongoing self-portraiture series Somnyama Ngonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness) which began in 20212. This prolific project responds to the near invisibility of Black women and non-binary bodies as subjects of representation in the history of Western painting and portraiture prior to the 20th century.

Other featured artists include Tschabalala Self,Lulendo, Cinga Samson, Gabriel Moses, Kenturah Davis, Mickalene Thomas, Kapwani Kiwanga and others.