The «#ARTODESSA» gallery invites everyone to the grand opening of a new exhibition dedicated to the memory of French photographer Matthieu Chazal (1975–2024), who sought to reveal beauty at the cultural crossroads.

Matthieu first arrived in Odessa in 2011 and returned multiple times after the full-scale invasion of Russia, starting in March 2022. He fell in love with the city, and together we dreamed of establishing a photography house in Odessa. Although he is no longer with us, our shared dream continues to thrive.

Matthieu Chazal (1975 – 2024) was an acclaimed French photographer and award-winner who documented life along the fault lines between East and West. A lover of life and a hedonist, Chazal spent nearly two decades traveling around the Black and Mediterranean seas, from the Balkans to the Caucasus, from Greece to Armenia, from Ukraine to Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran in search of beauty. However, his journey constantly led him to the harsh realities of war. Not a war photographer by calling – a title he disliked – Chazal left behind a remarkable chronicle of some of the most horrific conflicts of this century. A philosopher by nature and education, Chazal created images that were indirect yet deeply humane reflections on living with the horrors of war and despite them. Soldiers sip tea during breaks between battles, doze in the afternoon hours, bathe in rivers. People shop at markets, laugh, and get married. The presence of war is only hinted at: a destroyed bridge or a broken umbrella. Here, life takes center stage, becoming even more vibrant through its fragility.

The grand opening will be held on April 22 at 5:00 PM.

The event will feature Levantine music performed on guitar by Dmytro Zemskyi – it will be a joyful occasion, just as Matthieu loved.