Paris could also be often known as town of affection or gentle, however French visible artist Ash Love views it by a extra grounded lens. ‘Paris, to me, is town of back-and-forths,’ they inform Wallpaper*. ‘It’s a spot of hopping on trains, coming and going, and experiencing the whole lot it has to supply alongside the way in which.’
Born in Bordeaux and now based mostly in Madrid as a consequence of an artwork residency at Casa de Velázquez, Love has frequented the French capital since childhood. Since graduating from HEAD Genève in 2021, the artist has travelled extensively to current and exhibit their work. Following their first solo present with Exo Exo in Might 2025, Love and the gallery reunite this autumn for a solo presentation at Artwork Basel 2025 (sales space M54, a part of the truthful’s rising sector), which runs till 26 October.
Titled ‘Bébé Boum,’ the showcase unpacks the social assemble of birthdays. Floating balloons printed with photographs from the artist’s archive and a collection of work conceived as greeting playing cards evoke the erosion of which means that accompanies age and repetition. Via business typography and iconography, Love creates a bodily and symbolic house that celebrates the mundane. Their distinctive strategy to developing actuality by language – spanning portray, set up, writing, and efficiency – finds distilled expression right here.
When leaves flip orange and the air is crisp, Love at all times makes a case to be in Paris. ‘Autumn is when the times develop shorter – my favorite time to fulfill buddies in a café and sit indoors, sheltered from town’s fixed hustle,’ they are saying. Right here, they share their go-to haunts.
What to see and do in Paris, Ash Love’s suggestions
The place to eat and drink
Café les Deux Gares
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Café les Deux Gares)
‘On the menu: cauliflower, olives, salted praline, grapefruit. That equals a quadruple sure from me. I like the foggy environment in winter – good for between trains or for a solo date. It’s additionally a part of an amazing resort.’
Café les Deux Gares is positioned at 1 Rue des Deux Gares, 75010 Paris, France
Laïzé
Items of Jade showcase at Laïzé, throughout Paris Design Week (September 2025)
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Laïzé)
‘Order matcha, bubble tea, and low. Drink them in any order you want.’
Laïzé is positioned at 19 Rue de Montmorency, 75003 Paris, France
Paloma
Strawberry pavlova at Paloma
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Paloma)
‘Girls-owned, tiled to perfection, and all about seafood – what extra might you need?’
Paloma is positioned at 93 Rue Julien Lacroix, 75020 Paris, France
What to do
Exo Exo
Completely happy Birthdays (28 bougies), 2025, by Ash Love
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of the artist)
‘At the moment on view is Yann Stéphane Bissô’s first solo exhibition with the gallery. I could also be biased, as Yann is each a pal and an artist I really admire, however since Exo Exo can also be my gallery and artwork household, I have to advocate it.’
Exo Exo is positioned at 34 Rue Albert Thomas, 75010 Paris, France
ICI – Institut des Cultures d’Islam
L’uniforme by Sara Ouhaddou. Her exhibition ‘Cosmogrammes’ is at the moment on view at ICI Léon, till 15 February 2026
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of ICI)
‘[Expect] insightful and heartfelt exhibitions, usually from rising artists. [It’s] value sparing a while [here] when passing by Paris.’
ICI – Institut des Cultures d’Islam has two venues. ICI Léon is positioned at 19 Rue Léon, 75018 Paris, France, whereas ICI Stephenson is at 56 Rue Stephenson
Le Louxor
(Picture credit score: Images by Pascal Dhennequin. Courtesy of Le Louxor)
‘A historic public cinema with a vibrant previous – it had a stint as a discotheque within the late Eighties. Catch a premiere or purchase tickets to see an anime on this spectacular and distinctive constructing (once more, with tiles).’
Le Louxor is positioned at 170 Bd de Magenta, 75010 Paris, France
The place to buy
After 8 Books
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of After 8 Books)
‘My most treasured bookstore. Include the intention of discovering a particular e book, communicate to the employees, depart with one totally different to what you had in thoughts – assured impact.’
After 8 Books is positioned at 7 Rue Jarry, 75010 Paris, France
Marché d’Aligre
(Picture credit score: Alamy / Perry van Munster)
‘Rue d’Aligre is the most effective place for grocery procuring. After grabbing your weekly haul of ripe fruits and recent greens, end your go to by heading to the sq. on the finish of the road to search out antiques and second-hand treasures. A childhood reminiscence.’
Marché d’Aligre is positioned at Pl. d’Aligre, 75012 Paris, France
Additionally learn our guides to Artwork Basel 2025 and the greatest design exhibitions to see in Paris when you’re there.
Supply: Wallpaper
