Ed Alcock: Secrets et Mensonges
Samuel Kaur
From June 19 to November 15, 2026, the Jeu de Paume presents an exhibition dedicated to Ed Alcock, winner of the Prix Niépce.
Exhibition of Ed Alcock, titled “Secrets et mensonges”, brings together fifteen years of his photographic work, focusing on family, transmission, and the feeling of belonging.
This exhibition marks an important moment in Ed Alcock’s career. For the first time, all of his work is shown together in one place, allowing visitors to clearly see its coherence and evolution over time. The exhibition is built around five main series, created between 2009 and 2025.
What makes this exhibition special is how personal it feels. Ed Alcock focuses on themes like family, memory, and belonging. Many of the images come from his own life. He photographs his son, his relatives, and places connected to his past. Because of this, the exhibition feels honest and close to real life, almost like looking into someone’s private album.
The show is built in a chronological way, which means we move through time as we walk through it. At the beginning, the images feel more intimate and emotional. Later, they become more distant and observational. This slow change helps us understand how the artist’s view of the world has grown over time.
Between Documentary and Fiction
One of the most interesting things about Ed Alcock’s work is how it mixes different styles. His photography is not only documentary, but also includes elements of autobiography and fiction.
Some images feel very direct, almost like a news report photo. Others are more quiet and mysterious. They suggest things instead of showing everything clearly. This creates a sense of tension where the viewer is often left wondering what is really happening, or what is hidden behind the image.
For example, in the series about family secrets, the photos do not explain everything. Instead, they leave space for imagination or a little red thread to follow. This makes the experience more engaging. You are not only looking, but also thinking and trying to connect the pieces.
Family, Identity, and Social Change
As the exhibition continues, the themes grow wider. He explores not only his own family, but also larger social issues. In “Home Sweet Home”, he looks at the idea of home and national identity, especially during the time of Brexit.
These images show how political events can affect personal relationships. For example, one photograph describes a father and son who no longer speak because they voted differently. Moments like this feel simple, but they carry a strong emotional weight.
In his most recent work, the artist looks back at older generations of his family. There is a sense of distance, but also curiosity. He tries to understand where he comes from and how the past shapes the present.
Overall, “Secrets et mensonges” is a quiet but powerful exhibition. It does not try to impress with big or dramatic images. Instead, it focuses on small moments, emotions, and questions that many people can relate to. The photographs stay in your mind because they feel real, even when they are not fully explained.
Visit the museum homepage for more info here.
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Samuel is a Paris-based creative marketing student and writer. When he got bad grades in school or behaved badly, his parents punished him by making him read - maybe that's where it began. What felt like torture at the time has now turned out to be a great gift.
Two years ago, he moved to Paris for his fashion studies. Since then the urge to write has only grown stronger. When he's not working on articles, he writes mostly film scripts or poetry. Beyond writing, he has a deep-rooted passion for cinema and enjoys engaging in all forms of filmmaking.
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