Renowned French-Caribbean artist Shuck One is making a powerful statement in the Black Paris exhibition at the prestigious Pompidou Center, paying homage to Black figures who have shaped France’s modern history. Born in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the Caribbean, Shuck One is a trailblazer in the world of graffiti and visual art. His latest work, Regeneration, is a monumental four-meter-tall, 10-meter-wide installation that weaves together archival materials, historical photographs, and painted collages, reflecting the depth and resilience of Black narratives in France. 

As one of only five contemporary artists selected for this landmark exhibition, Shuck One brings a unique perspective inspired by the Négritude movement, which challenged colonial oppression and Eurocentrism. His work revisits crucial moments in Black history, including the contributions of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, African soldiers who served in the French army during both World Wars. It also highlights the May 1967 Guadeloupe Massacre, a tragic and often overlooked chapter in France’s colonial history, still under investigation. Another key focus is the BUMIDOM migration program, a controversial French state initiative that relocated 170,000 individuals from overseas territories to mainland France, now seen as a post-colonial tool of economic exploitation and systemic discrimination. 

Regeneration also pays tribute to influential Black leaders, writers, and activists who have left an indelible mark on French and global history. Among them are Joséphine Baker, the American-born entertainer who became a French civil rights icon, Aimé Césaire, a driving force behind the Négritude movement, and Angela Davis, the legendary American political activist. The installation also honors lesser-known yet significant figures such as Paulette Nardal, a writer and pioneering Black feminist, Eugénie Eboué, the first Black woman elected to France’s National Assembly, Gerty Archimède, a legal and political trailblazer from Guadeloupe, and Maryse Condé, the acclaimed Guadeloupean novelist and literary giant. 

Running from March 19 to June 30, 2025, Black Paris is a groundbreaking showcase featuring 150 artists of African descent, many of whom are exhibiting in France for the first time. This is one of the last major exhibitions at the Pompidou Center before it undergoes a five-year renovation, making it an unmissable moment in France’s artistic and cultural landscape. Shuck One’s work is more than just art—it is a powerful act of remembrance, resistance, and celebration of Black excellence. As Africa’s influence continues to shape global conversations, Black Paris stands as a testament to the legacy and future of Black artistry in France and beyond.