Contact
cotenscarlett@gmail.com
+33 661 640 043
@scarlett_coten
Info (Version française ci-dessous)
Scarlett Coten, the accomplished French photographer, currently based in Arles, emerges as a distinctive voice in the realm of visual storytelling.
Graduating from the École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie in Arles, Scarlett seamlessly weaves between her contributions to national and international press and the cultivation of profound long-term personal projects.
Her artistic lens delves into the intricacies of identity, gender, and intimacy, utilizing the medium of photographic portraiture. Scarlett’s unique approach blends documentary precision with immersive storytelling, infusing a touch of cinematic inspiration that transcends traditional boundaries.
Her body of work, both artistically captivating and politically charged, reflects a profound connection between the artist and her subjects.
Awarded prestigious honors such as the Leica Oskar Barnack Prize in 2016, Critical Mass TOP 50 in 2018, and Photography Now 21 (Center for Photography at Woodstock ), Scarlett Coten stands as a luminary in the realm of contemporary photography, with her impactful creations showcased in French public collections and international exhibitions.
Her debut monograph, « Still alive, » published by Actes Sud in 2009, and her contribution in many anthologies and exhibition catalogs solidifie her enduring influence in the photographic landscape.
Scarlett Coten, photographe française, actuellement basée à Arles, s’impose comme une voix distincte dans le domaine des arts visuels.
Diplômée de l’École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie d’Arles, Scarlett navigue dès lors naturellement entre ses contributions à la presse nationale et internationale et le développement de projets personnels approfondis.
Son travail explore principalement les complexités de l’identité, du genre et de l’intimité, notamment à travers le portrait photographique et son œuvre, à la fois plastiquement captivante et politiquement engagée, témoigne d’un lien profond entre l’artiste et ses sujets..
Parce que son vécu est indissociable de sa pratique artistique et que l’expérience des femmes, leur position dans la société, y compris en tant qu’artistes, diffèrent de celles des hommes, la photographe pose un regard singulier sur des questions à la fois personnelles et universelles : l’art, le pouvoir, le clivage traditionnel entre l’auteur et le sujet, le réel et l’imaginaire.
Sa pratique artistique privilégie une approche documentaire, immersive, enrichie d’une dimension fictionnelle inspirée de l’univers cinématographique qui contourne les codes du genre, notamment, par le recours à la mise en scène et le choix de ses décors, naturels, et précisément sélectionnés.
Récompensée par des prix prestigieux tels que le Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA 2016), le Critical Mass TOP 50 2018 ou Photography Now 2021 (Center for Photography at Woodstock) ; lauréate de la Grande Commande 2022 du Ministère de la Culture : « Radioscopie de la France », pilotée par la Bibliothèque Nationale de France – Scarlett Coten est une figure emblématique de la photographie contemporaine, dont les œuvres marquantes sont présentes dans des collections publiques françaises et exposées internationalement.
Sa première monographie, « Still alive », publiée par Actes Sud en 2009, et sa contribution à de nombreuses anthologies et catalogues d’exposition confirment son influence durable dans le paysage photographique.
Solo Exhibitions
2022 – Les Nuits Photographiques de Pierrevert Festival, France
2021 – Tapis Rouge, Arles, France
2018 – The Leica Galerie, Milano, Italia
2017 – Galerie Spree, Paris, France
2016 – PARIS PHOTO Fair, Leica Oscar Barnack Award 2016, France
2016 – Dar Al Anda Gallery, Amman, Jordan
2015 – Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, Seattle, US
2015 – French Institut, Alexandria, Egypt
2014 – Guernesey Photography Festival, UK
2014 – L’Émoi Photographique Festival, Angoulême, France
2013 – French Institut, Alexandria, Egypt
2012 – Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie, Fez, Morocco
2012 – Espace Central Dupon, Mois de la Photo, Paris, France
2012 – PhotoMed Festival, Sanary, Curator Jean-Luc Monterosso, France
2010 – The Empty Quarter Gallery, Dubaï, UAE
2010 – Galerie 127 & French Institut, Marrakech, Morocco
2009 – Galerie L’Imagerie, Lannion, France
2009 – Regards Festival, Perpignan, France
2002 / 2004 – Les galeries de la Fnac (Paris, Toulouse, Marseille, Barcelone…)
2002 – Photo España Festival, Madrid, Spain
2002 – Mc Cann Erickson, Paris, France
2001 – Festival International de la Photographie, Biarritz, France
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 – « Parallel Lives: Photography, Identity, and Belonging », Center for Photography at Woodstock, Curator Maya
Benton, Nov 5, Feb 5, 23, Kingston, US
2021 – « Féminin Pluriel », Espace Commines, Curator Aline Pujo, Paris, France
2020 – « Inside Out », Espace MLB, Arles, France
2019 – « Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition », Espace Photographique de Sauroy, Paris, France
2019 – « Patriarchy is burning » Palais de Tokyo, GANG OF WITCHES Festival, Paris, France
2019 – « Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition », Somerset House, London, UK
2019 – « Chelsea International Photography Competition », Agora Gallery, New York, US
2018 – « ALL THAT MAN IS – Fashion and Masculinity Now », Photo Vogue Festival, Milano, Italia
2018 – « Looking at You: Intimate Portraiture ». PHOTO–EMPHASIS, Curator Jess T Dugan, University of Georgia, US
2017 – Biennal of the Photographers from the Contemporary Arab World, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
2017 – Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, Photo Basel, Switzerland
2017 – Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, AIPAD, New York, US
2017 – « The Female Gaze: Portrait », Don’t Smile, Curator Ashley Kauschinger, US
2017 – « Leica Oscar Barnack Award 2016″, Weltzar, Germany
2017 – « Back Stories », Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, Seattle, US
2016 – « Leica Oscar Barnack Award 2016″, Photolux Festival, Lucca, Italia
2016 – « Cutlog », Hôtel Particulier, Montmartre, Paris, France
2016 – « Leica Oscar Barnack Award 2016″, Neuen Shule für Fotografie, Berlin, Germany
2016 – « Head On Portrait Prize exhibition », Museum of Sydney, Australia
2015 – « Ladies only », Lichtblick Gallery, Köln, Germany
2015 – Angkor Photo Festival, Cambodia
2015 – Night of Photography, Tbilisi Photo Festival, Georgia
2014 – Galerie 127, Mois de la Photo, Paris, France
2014 – SlideLuck Caracas, Venezuela
2014 – ImageSinfulières Festival, Sète, France
2014 – Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival, Georgia
2014 – SlideLuck Fez, Morocco
2013 – Open Show #3 Arles, France
2013 – Galerie L’Atelier du midi, Arles, France
2013 – Open Show #6 Paris, France
2013 – Galerie 127, Marrakech, Morocco
2012 – Galerie du Château d’eau, Toulouse, France
2012 – French Institute, Essaouira, Morocco
2011 – Galerie 127, Marrakech, Morocco
2011 – Marrakech Art Fair, Galerie 127, Morocco
2011 – Affordable Art Fair, J&N Galerie, Brussels, Belgium
2010 – Affordable Art Fair, J&N Galerie, Paris, France
2009 – PARIS PHOTO Fair, Galerie 127, Paris, France
2008 – J&N Galerie, Paris, France
2006 – Galerie Sit Down, Paris, France
2005 – Maison de l’Unesco, Paris, France
2005 – United Nations Pavilion, Aichi, Japan
2004 – Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China
2004 – « La Collection Photographique de La Fnac », Mois de la Photo, Paris, France
2003 – « La Collection Photographique de la Fnac », Milano & Torino, Italia
2002 – « La Collection Photographique de la Fnac », Valencia, Spain
Monography
2009 – Still alive, Publisher Actes Sud, France
Anthologies & Exhibitions Catalogs
2022 – Les rencontres Photographiques des Amis du Musée Albert Khan, Éditions sous la Glycine, France
2020 – 40 years of Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Leica Camera AG, Germany
2019 – Patriarchy is burning, Gang of Witches editions, France
2017 – Firecrackers: Female Photographers Now, Thames and Hudson, London
2017 – Second Biennal of the Photographers from the Contemporary Arab World, Silvana Editoriale
2014 – Photographers Sketchbooks, Thames and Hudson, London
2014 – Caravane(s), L’erre de rien éditions, France
2014 – Mectoub #02, self-publishing, Newspaperclub, London
2013 – Mediterranean landscapes, Macrosonges editions, France
2013 – Mectoub #01, self-publishing, Newspaperclub, London
2004 – Memories of Mankind, Winning photos of Humanity Photo Awards 2004, HPA, China
2002 – La photographie entre histoire et poésie, Mazzotta Editions, Photographies de la collection Fnac
Grants & Awards
2022 – Grant from Ministry of Culture’s Grande Commission 2022: « Radioscopie de la France », under the direction of the
BnF, France
2022 – Acquisition of art by the Centre National des Arts Plastiques (CNAP), France
2021 – Winner of « Photography Now 2021 », Jury Maya Benton, Center for Photography at Woodstock, USA
2020 – Winner of Jury Award, Festival des Nuits Photographiques de Pierrevert, France
2020 – Selected, Top 200 Critical Mass, US
2020 – Verazca Foto Awards, Finalist, Switzerland
2019 – Grand Prix ImageSingulières de la photographie documentaire, Finalist, France
2019 – Bourse du Musée Albert-Kahn, Finalist, France
2019 – Main prize PHmuseum Photography Grant, Finalist
2019 – 2019, Professional competition’s Portraiture category, Finalist, UK
2019 – Selected forThe Chico Hot Springs Portfolio Review, US
2018 – Winner of Chelsea International Photography Competition, Agora Gallery, New York, US
2018 – Winner, Top 50 Critical Mass, US
2018 – Winner of PHOTO-EMPHASIS, Jury Jess T Dugan: Looking at You: Intimate Portraiture, US
2018 – Selected for The New York Times Portfolio Review, US
2016 – Winner of Leica Oskar Barnack Award
2016 – Head On Portrait Prize, Finalist, Australia
2016 – Shorlisted POPCAP’16
2015 – Prix Mentor, Finalist, France
2015 / 2017 – Shorlisted for Felix Schoeller Photo Award (Portrait Category), Germany
2015 – Barcelona International Photography Award, Finalist, Spain
2014 – Festival International de Foto de Cabo Verde
2014 – Winner Guernsey Photography Festival, UK
2014 – Moscow International Foto Awards, Honorable Mention, Russia
2013 – International Photography Award, Honorable Mention, US
2013 – Professional Photographer of the Year (Medium Format), Finalist, US
2012 – PX3, Honorable Mentions, US
2011 – International Photography Award (IPA), Honorable Mentions, US
2009 – New York Photo Festival Book Award, Finalist, New York, US
2004 – Winner of Beijing Photo Award (Portrait Category), China
Collections
– Collection of the « Département des Estampes et de la Photographie », Bibliothèque Nationale de France
– Public Collection of the National Center for Visual Arts (CNAP), France
– Musée Nicéphore Niepce / Collection de la Fnac, France
– L’Imagerie, Lannion, France
– China Folklore Photographic Association, Beijing, China
– Private collections (Europe, USA)
Vidéo
« M« , 5.20 mn. Realization & production Scarlett Coten, editing Alex Liebert 2021
Selected Press and Reviews
Artlyst: Rencontres d’Arles 2023 / A Captivating & Enthralling Edition – Virginie Puertolas- Sun, July 2023
Kamera Magazine N°4: « Scarlett Coten, la fotografia como acto de desobediancia« , November 2022
PHmuseum Editors’ Top Projects of 2020: the most solid projects uploaded to our community this year, December 2020
Internazionale extra: « La fragilità dell’ uomo arabo », June 23, 2020
PHmuseum, Story of the Week: Redefining Gender Stereotypes in Contemporary America, Sept 30, 2019
World Photography Organisation: « To be a woman artist is to be a warrior », July 22, 2019
WYWYMAGAZINE / Point of view: Scarlett Coten: « Plan américain » and « Mectoub » Dec 12, 2018
I-D: 5 photographers reimagining masculinity, Nov 19, 2018
France Info: La femme du jour. Scarlett Coten, photographe, Nov 12, 2018
British Journal of Photography: Photo Vogue Festival: Embracing diversity and the many shades of masculinity, Oct 15, 2018
Vogue Italia: Exploring Masculinity, May 18, 2018
ELLE Italia: Cosa vuol dire essere un uomo arabo oggi? I ritratti degli uomini arabi di Scarlett Coten rispondono con una nuova riflessione su identità, genere e potere, May 16, 2018
Breach of Close: Eluding Destiny, April 10, 2018
FemmesPHOTOgraphes / Revue n°3: Portfolio, December 12, 2017
CNN: Masculinity in the Middle East: Confronting stereotypes through photography, Dec 1st, 2017
Art Emperor / Taiwan: Mectoub, November 19, 2017
The Guardian: Tattoos, satin heels and pet snakes: the men redefining masculinity in the Middle East, UK, November 10, 2017
Beaux Arts Magazine / Sortir: Rencontre avec la photographe Scarlett Coten à l’Institut du monde arabe, October 31, 2017
CultureSecrets Magazine: Interview, October 30, 2017
Les echos: Photographie: Le monde arabe contemporain exposé, October 21, 2017
Beware! Exclusive culture crossing: Scarlett Coten a passé quatre ans à photographier des hommes dans sept pays arabes, October 18, 2017
Nomads Magazine: The New Arab Man-Switching Arab Gender Codes, October 16, 2017
La Majalla : Photographie du monde arabe : une biennale pleine de souffle ! October 7, 2017
ELLE / ELLE Culture / Femmes du Monde, September 29, 2017
i24NEWS: Interview, September 28, 2017
On Orient : Trois regards sur la Biennale des Photographes du monde arabe / Un état fragile des corps, September 26, 2017
Culturebox France TV info: Scarlett Coten, « Mectoub » ou l’identité masculine dans le monde arabe, September 19, 2017
Radio Nova: La matinale: Scarlett Coten invited for the Biennial of Photography in the Contemporary Arab World , September 18, 2017
TV5 Monde / Maghreb Orient Express: Scarlett Coten invited, September 17, 2017
HAPPENING: The Biennial of Photography in the Contemporary Arab World | A second edition raising questions, September 14, 2017
Huffpost Tunisie: La deuxième édition de la Biennale des Photographes du Monde Arabe Contemporain débute le 13 Septembre à Paris, September 12, 2017
Libération: ÉTÉ / PHOTO – Tout un monde arabe, July 22, 2017
Harper’s Bazaar Art Arabia: Tunisia and Algeria Highlighted in Second Biennial of Photography in the Contemporary Arab World, July 11, 2017
PHMuseum: The photographer of the day is Scarlett Coten, July 10, 2017
Telerama/ Sortir: Ce qu’il faut savoir sur l’édition 2017, June 26, 2017
Libération: Biennale, tout un monde arabe, June 22, 2017
Lomographie Magazine: Keeping Mum on Masculinity, June 7, 2017
France Photographie: Six raisons de visiter Paris Photo, February 2017
Biba: Les hommes de Scarlett Coten, January 4, 2017
Télérama / Sortir Paris : Scarlett Coten, prix Leica 2016 – Mectoub, January 4, 2017
PHmuseum : The photographer of the day : Scarlett Coten, Dec 6, 2016
Photolux Festival: Scarlett Coten is honoured with the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Nov 2016
Nataal Magazine: Nataal’s pick of the most inspiring images on show at Paris Photo 2016, Nov 2016
Lensculture: Mectoub, Photographs and text by Scarlett Coten, November 2016
IGGY : Nous avons choisi les cliches les plus inspirants du paris photo 2016, Nov 2016
Middle East Eye: Un prix prestigieux pour une série de photos sur les hommes dans le monde arabe, October 4, 2016
Fisheye: Prix / Une édition remarquable, Nov-Dec 2016
PHOTO : Paris Photo / Prix Leica Oskar Barnack 2016 / Scarlett Coten winner, Nov-Dec 2016
Arte News / Paris Photo : Portrait de « mecs arabes » – Interview, November 11, 2016
Middle East Revised / Art of resistance: Scarlett Coten – Still alive, Egypt, October 2, 2016
Xataka Foto : Scarlett Coten ganadora del prestigioso Leica Oskar Barnack award 2016, Sept 30
The Leica camera blog: Interview Scarlett Coten, winner 2016, September 30, 2016
LFI Magazine : Scarlett Coten – Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2016 – Interview, Sept 29, 2016
Alaraby.co / London: Scarlett Coten: Switching gender roles , May 5, 2016
El Watan Weekend: L’Homme arabe est une femme comme les autres, Algeria, May 3, 2016
On Orient: Dévoilez moi ce male que je ne saurais voir, Morocco, October 13, 2015
The Postcolonialist: Scarlett Coten, Mectoub: In the shadow of the Arab Spring, USA, October 6, 2015
Vanguard: Art in Focus: « Mectoub » by Scarlett Coten at Mariane Ibrahim, Seattle, USA, July 11, 2015
Paris Photo Agenda: Mectoub at Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, Seattle, USA, May 2015
The Eye of Photography: Mectoub by Scarlett Coten at Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, June 2015
Off The Wall Magazine: Portfolio / Interview, Paris, November 2014
De l’air Magazine: Portfolio, Paris, November 2014
Mrs Deane/nothing is too amazing to be true: Scarlett Coten – Cocoon Cockpit, March 24, 2014
DDMagazine: Scarlett Coten – Mectoub, Italia, February 2, 2014
Askmanuela / Art inspirational blog: Scarlett Coten – Empty spot, February 2, 2014
Tel Quel: Mectoub, Scarlett Coten dévoile sa vision de l’homme marocain, Morocco, 2014
On Orient: Mectoub, Cachez-moi cette virilité que je ne saurais voir, Morocco, Dec 29, 2013
Afrique In Visu: Mectoub – Un témoignage de Scarlett Coten, November 11, 2013
Carbonated.tv: Mectoub, Scarlett Coten unveils Arab men, Pakistan, 2013
Afriqua is a country: Reimagining the image of the modern arab men, August 16, 2013
Issuu-Square Magazine: Toy Camera – Best in show, SP03, Maroc evolution, March 15, 2013
Diptyk Magazine: Mectoub, Morocco, November 2012
The Eye of Photography, Mectoub, July 2012
Images Magazine: Mectoub, Un autre Maroc, Paris, France, May 2012
Le Monde / Géo & Politique: Maroc-L’air du large – Portfolio Scarlett Coten, November 20, 2011
Nomads Magazine: Scarlett Coten – Still alive, New York, USA, Spring 2011
Pasolininuc.blogspot: Scarlett Coten – Still alive, June 2011
Le Soir: Still alive, Un autre regard sur l’Egypte, Morocco, 2011
Afrique in Visu: Still alive – Scarlett Coten Interview, February 12, 2010
Brownbook, Still alive – Scarlett Coten Interview, Dubaï, UAE, May 2010
The Weekend Review and Golfnews: Masters of the desert, Dubaï, UAE, May 21, 2010
The National: Weird and wonderful: latest art in Dubai, Dubaï, UAE, April 13, 2010
Emarat Al Youm: Still alive-Scarlett Coten, Dubaï, UAE, April 12, 2010
Mrs Deane / nothing is too amazing to be true: Scarlett Coten’s solo show in Dubai, April 7, 2010
7Days: Bedouin Business, Dubaï, UAE, April 2010
The Culturist: Still alive by Scarlett Coten, Dubai, UAE, April 5, 2010
Libération: Still alive, Scarlett Coten, un joyeux désert, Paris, France, 2010
Lensculture, Still alive, Paris, France, 2009
Diptyk Magazine: Paris Photo, Cap sur l’orient, Still alive, Morocco, 2009
MNP: Still alive, Moscow, Russia, 2009