Exhibition "MELVIN EDWARDS" Palais de Tokyo from 10/22/2025 to 02/15/2026

Presented at the Palais de Tokyo, the retrospective of Melvin Edwards traces sixty years of creation. Metal sculptures, industrial materials, and references to the Black Atlantic form a powerful body of work, enriched with commitment, poetry, and jazz, exploring memory, resistance, and transatlantic dialogue.

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MELVIN EDWARDS Exhibition

Major retrospective covering over 60 years of creation
Powerful sculptures in metal and industrial materials
Committed art exploring memory, history, and transatlantic cultures
Iconic venue in the heart of Paris
Access to all exhibitions with a single ticket

At the Palais de Tokyo from 10/22/2025 to 02/15/2026

€13

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What to expect

Presented at the Palais de Tokyo, the exhibition dedicated to Melvin Edwards stands out as one of the major artistic events of the season. Rare in both its scope and the richness of the works assembled, this retrospective offers an intense immersion into over sixty years of sculptural creation. It appeals equally to contemporary art enthusiasts and to curious visitors eager to discover a powerful, engaged, and profoundly human body of work.

Through a dense and immersive journey, the exhibition reveals an artistic practice shaped by history, movement, encounters, and commitments. Each sculpture functions as a passage between eras, territories, and memories, inviting visitors to an experience that is at once visual, intellectual, and emotional.

A major retrospective in the heart of Paris

A powerful and singular sculptural practice

Since the 1960s, Melvin Edwards has developed an immediately recognizable artistic language, based on working with metal, welding, and assembling industrial materials. Chains, tools, salvaged fragments, and metal wires compose forms that are both raw and poetic, charged with meaning. Far from decorative, these sculptures interrogate history, power relations, and mechanisms of domination, while leaving ample room for personal interpretation.

The exhibition highlights how these works engage with the major social and political questions of their time, while maintaining a deeply intimate dimension. Each piece can be read as a tribute, a discreet monument, or a fragment of a narrative, where collective memory meets individual experience.

A dialogue across continents, cultures, and disciplines

This retrospective traces an artistic trajectory marked by constant exchanges between the United States, the Caribbean, and West Africa. Travel, collaborations, and friendships have nourished an open body of work, influenced by poetry, jazz music, and literature. Visitors can see how the sculptures resonate with multiple artistic universes, creating a network of references that transcends geographic and disciplinary boundaries.

The exhibition also allows viewers to understand how Melvin Edwards’ work fits within a broader cultural history—one of resistance, transmission, and creation as a space of freedom. This dimension adds depth to the experience, transforming the visit into a true exploration of art as a tool for thought and transformation.

Why book this exhibition now

Booking your ticket ensures access to a major event on the international art scene. The limited duration of the presentation, combined with the artist’s importance and the prestige of the venue, makes this exhibition highly sought after. Planning ahead allows visitors to choose their preferred day and time, avoid queues, and fully enjoy the exhibition.

Advance booking is also essential for those wishing to participate in associated activities, such as guided tours, artist talks, or scheduled events, for which certain places—including free tickets—must be reserved in advance. By planning your visit, you optimize your experience and ensure a moment of discovery under the best conditions.

An emblematic and accessible venue

The Palais de Tokyo enjoys an exceptional location between the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées, in a central and easily accessible district. Its contemporary architecture, vast spaces, and unique atmosphere make it an ideal setting for hosting an exhibition of this scale. A visit can easily fit into a full cultural day in Paris, combining exhibitions, urban walks, and heritage discoveries.

Access to the site is facilitated by various modes of transport: metro, RER, bus, bicycle, or car. Nearby parking and electric vehicle charging stations further enhance the comfort of your visit, regardless of your mode of travel.

Hours adapted to all schedules

The exhibition is open every day except Tuesday, from 12:00 to 22:00, allowing both daytime visits and evening explorations. A nocturne until midnight every Thursday offers an ideal opportunity to experience the exhibition in a different, calmer, and more contemplative atmosphere.

Extended ticketing hours make organizing your visit easier, while certain dates may have early or exceptional closures. Booking in advance allows you to account for these particularities and avoid any inconvenience.

Clear and accessible pricing

The admission ticket is offered at a full price of €13, with a reduced price of €9 for eligible visitors. Free entry is also available for certain categories of visitors, provided that reservations are made in advance for timed activities.

A single ticket grants access to all exhibitions on the day of your visit, offering a complete and enriching cultural experience. This package represents excellent value for discovering multiple artistic offerings in a single venue.

A cultural experience not to be missed

Visiting the Melvin Edwards exhibition is an opportunity to experience demanding art, deeply rooted in history yet firmly oriented toward the present. It is also a chance to discover—or rediscover—an artist whose work continues to influence contemporary creation and stimulate reflection on today’s world.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a knowledgeable amateur, or simply curious, this exhibition offers a striking experience that is both aesthetic and intellectual. By booking your ticket now, you secure a place for a highlight of the Parisian cultural season, in an iconic and inspiring venue.

Schedule

Available every day except on Tuesday
Schedule: 12:00 pm

Group quotation

Are you planning an event for a group of more than 10 people?

For a private booking, a meeting or a party with friends, send us your detailed request. An expert from Come to Paris will send you a personal reply within 2 working days.

Feel free to contact us at +33 1 48 74 05 10 for any requests.

Common questions

Who is Melvin Edwards and why is this exhibition important?

Melvin Edwards is a major figure in contemporary American sculpture. This exceptional retrospective highlights over sixty years of creation, characterized by a unique sculptural language that blends metal, historical memory, and Afro-Atlantic cultural heritage.

Where is the exhibition taking place?

The exhibition is presented at the Palais de Tokyo, located between the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées, in a large space dedicated to international contemporary creation.

What are the dates of the exhibition?

The exhibition is open from October 22, 2025, to February 15, 2026, throughout the relevant cultural season.

What are the opening hours?

The venue is open every day except Tuesday, from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. A late-night opening is offered every Thursday until midnight. The ticket office closes before the venue does.

Does the ticket give access to other exhibitions?

Yes, the ticket provides access to all exhibitions presented on the day of your visit, and is valid for a single entry on the chosen date.

How can you easily get to the venue?

The site is accessible by metro, RER, bus, bicycle, and car. Parking facilities and electric vehicle charging stations are available nearby, making access convenient regardless of your mode of transport.