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Ease into the new season with our exhibition dedicated to the original pages from Dead Train, the first graphic novel by photographer Sébastien Salamand, aka Le Turk.
We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming exhibition dedicated to Dead Train by the artist Le Turk, from August 27 to September 12, 2026, at our Paris gallery. Sébastien Salamand, aka Le Turk, is a French artist, photographer, and visual artist known for his distinctive visual world. He is now turning to comics with his first book, Dead Train, presented in this exhibition through a selection of original pages. In 2011, he opened his first studio, where he brought original sets to life through a unique blend of classical painting and culture, using materials such as wood, cardboard, and polystyrene. This allowed his boundless imagination to flourish and established him as a truly multidisciplinary artist. In 2015, with the publication of his first photography book, Le Turk emerged as a major figure in the French photography scene, cementing his place in contemporary art. Three years later, the city of Metz acquired a triptych of his works as part of the "Photographie Mon Amour" festival and offered him a retrospective exhibition at the Basilique Saint Vincent. In addition to creating limited-edition artworks, the artist collaborates with ready-to-wear brands, bringing his visual signature to iconic campaigns. Notably, he succeeded Sarah Moon for a campaign by the brand Lilith, offering his own distinctive visual interpretation. These collaborations demonstrate his ability to merge visual art with the world of fashion, creating unique and memorable imagery. After living between France and Germany for several years, he decided to settle in Sologne, his native region. There, he and Laura Salamand opened his 350m2 studio, named l'Usine à Merveilles. In this space, he gives free rein to his eccentric cinematic ideas and creates innovative photography projects. His staged photographs gradually led him to direct short films and music videos, reconnecting him with his original passion for music. The studio has become a true experimental laboratory where different art forms meet and intertwine, creating a unique creative synergy. His work draws inspiration from the worlds of Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro, as well as fantasy cinema and a certain form of surrealism. For more than twenty years, he has developed a highly personal body of work in which every image is conceived as a theatrical scene. Unlike in traditional photography, Le Turk creates every element himself: he designs the sets and directs his models like real actors. His characters, often with porcelain-like faces resembling wax dolls, move through mysterious worlds. This handcrafted approach turns each of his works into a complete mise-en-scène. Dead Train In 2026, Le Turk entered a new phase of his career with the publication of Dead Train, his first graphic novel, written with Wallace Carpentier. Today, Le Turk has established himself as a versatile artist capable of moving from photography to comics without losing his artistic identity, while maintaining the unique atmosphere that distinguishes his work. He brings his world and photographic eye to the ninth art through precise, richly detailed drawings and meticulously crafted settings. With this first volume, Le Turk makes a compelling debut in the world of comics, delivering an album with a strong visual identity, an intriguing story, and an already well-developed universe. It is a promising first step that leaves readers eager to climb aboard Dead Train once again. The story takes us to Dead Train, an isolated town where mysteries seem to lurk behind every facade. As the pages turn, the story establishes an oppressive atmosphere and raises question after question without ever revealing everything. The plot unfolds gradually, sustaining uncertainty until the final pages. Several protagonists slowly reveal personalities more complex than they first appear, leaving readers eager to continue the adventure in the second volume. This first volume confirms his ability to tell stories and create a complete, richly developed universe while preserving the visual richness that made his reputation as a photographer. Here, Le Turk recaptures everything that makes his photographic work and the perspective it creates so distinctive. The framing is precise, and the interplay of light and shadow gives the book a constant sense of depth, while the delicately featured faces sometimes evoke his photographs. Every page is exceptionally rich in detail. The town's architecture, rendered with great precision, plays a central role in the story's mysterious atmosphere. The settings teem with elements that invite readers to linger over every panel, deepening their immersion in this dark and singular world. In his pages, he creates richly layered images whose power lies in his meticulous attention to detail. Through painstaking work in India ink, he carefully shapes his settings and characters. His extensively developed drafts culminate in thoughtfully conceived and carefully constructed pages where nothing is left to chance. Our commitments For the past five years, we have focused on showcasing the artworks behind the book, allowing our visitors to experience the full richness of comics. Purchasing a book thus becomes part of a more complete and meaningful experience. Through original comic-book pages, immerse yourself in the heart of the graphic novel. Discover the linework, the vibrancy of the colors, the depth of the black and white, and sometimes even the author's thoughts through small handwritten notes. Opening reception Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 6 p.m. Book signing from 4 p.m. Open to everyone
Admission: Our exhibitions and opening receptions are 100% free, open to everyone, and require no reservation.
Source: paris.fr — photo: Le Turk