Paul Maheke lives and works in Montpellier. Through various forms and media, Maheke pursues a long-term exploration of the ways in which marginalised bodies, narratives and histories are made visible and invisible. Resisting an exploration of identity that is confined solely to the realm of identity politics, Maheke’s artistic trajectory has been continually shaped by spectral sensations. In his work, the artist summons ghosts, spirits and non-human beings to invite a reorientation of the way in which we, the audience, are able to perceive; this amounts to reframing the way in which we are able to see, feel and listen; a state in which esotericism, queer and embodied spiritualities help him to create new prophecies.
His works have been exhibited at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, London; the Venice Biennale; the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Washington; The Renaissance Society, Chicago; Mercer Union, Toronto; Performa, New York; the Centre Pompidou; the Palais de Tokyo, the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection and Lafayette Anticipations in Paris, MO.CO in Montpellier, Triangle France in Marseille, the Baltic Triennial 13, Manifesta 12 in Palermo, Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, Chisenhale Gallery and The South London Gallery in London, amongst others.
Paul Maheke is the winner of the 25th Fondation Pernod Ricard Prize. He is a resident at the Académie de France in Rome – Villa Medici for the 2025–2026 academic year.