Raised in the Parisian suburbs, Johanna Tordjman is a painter and creative director whose work has been shown internationally in cities including New York, Paris, Hong Kong, and Basel, with an upcoming exhibition in Marrakech. Her vivid portraiture explores themes of identity, memory, and migration, often drawing on the stories of her grandparents’ journey. Now based in Paris, Tordjman continues to blend personal history with universal emotion in her art. In conversation with Whitewaller, she shares the places, flavors, and creative corners of the city that inspire her most, and reveal the Paris that shapes her work.
WHITEWALL: Where is your favorite spot to find inspiration?
JOHANNA TORDJMAN: Just wandering is an absolute treat in Paris, but when I’m on the lookout for a specific material of archive photographs to work on later, I’d rather go the the Marche aux Puces de Saint Ouen, or local flea markets that happen pretty randomly, and pretty much anywhere as well.
WW: Your favorite place to see art?
JT: I love La Bourse de Commerce which showcase the Pinault collection, the architecture is a true gem, the art curated is all I love.
“Le Marais, with no hesitation, so many galleries, you can go to Perrotin or Almine Rech, Ropac and then stop for a delicious coffee.”
Johanna Tordjman
WW: Where is the best neighborhood vibe?
JT: Le Marais, with no hesitation, so many galleries, you can go to Perrotin or Almine Rech, Ropac and then stop for a delicious coffee, find the best books at 0fr, and shop at Dover later on.
WW: What is the best-kept secret in Paris?
JT: The Japanese garden at the Albert Khan museum, a real getaway.
WW: What is the best meal in Paris?
JT: A dinner at Malro, food is delicious, music is vibey and the staff is the friendliest in the city.
How Johanna Tordjman Spends 24 Hours in Paris
Morning: Visiting the Fondation Vuitton or Pompidou.
Noon: Grabbing my favorite onigiris at Omusubi Gonbei.
Night: Share some tapas and wine glasses at Rojo with my gang before taking a night walk.
The Best of Paris According to Johanna Tordjman:
1. Discover Vintage Treasures at Marche aux Puces de Saint Ouen
Courtesy of Flicker.
Le Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen is the largest concentration of antique dealers and second-hand dealers in the world, totaling more than 5 million visitors per year, among whom we meet many foreign tourists and very often even celebrities. It is an original experience of popular Paris, a walk full of surprises and a gold mine for lovers of vintage pieces or antiques … –Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen
2. Explore Bourse de Commerce’s Exhibitions
Courtesy of Bourse de Commerce.
Through its exhibitions and events, the Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection offers a fresh and original perspective on a group of contemporary artworks that François Pinault has put together over the last fifty years as a collector and patron of the arts. –Bourse de Commerce
3. Take a Short Trip to Fondation Louis Vuitton
Courtesy of Fondation Louis Vuitton.
The Fondation Louis Vuitton grounds its commitment to the contemporary arts within an historical perspective. The LVMH Group and its companies opened a new chapter in their history of patronage with the creation of the Fondation. The building itself was inaugurated on 24 October 2014, the result of nearly 25 years of commitment to the arts, culture and heritage.
Driven by its mission to serve the public, the Fondation is committed to making art and culture accessible to all. To promote the arts both nationally and internationally, it hosts temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, presents works held in its collection, commissions artists to create site-specific pieces, and stages events across the cultural spectrum (concerts, performances, conferences, film screenings, dance and more). –Fondation Louis Vuitton
4. Explore the Fauna Albert Kahn Museum and Garden
Courtesy of Albert Kahn Museum and Garden.
The Musée Départemental Albert-Kahn opened its doors in Boulogne-Billancourt on April 2, 2022 after five years of renovations. Here, the public is able to discover 4 renovated hectares, combining new buildings and restorations respectful of the site’s history, for a completely remodeled establishment: a museum of images focused on social issues, in the heart of a garden that puts the world at your fingertips, following the example of its creator and his project, the banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn. The new building designed by the architect Kengo Kuma is inspired by the specific connection Albert Kahn had with Japan: the architectural project stages the relationship between the city, museum and garden. –Albert Kahn Museum and Garden
5. Dine at Omusubi Gonbei
Courtesy of Omusubi Gonbei.
When the founder was working for a Japanese trading company in the Middle East, he saw the decline in consumption of a Japanese staple food: rice. This realization led him to create Omusubi Gonbei. The ease of importing wheat-based foods such as bread, pasta and ramen has diversified Japanese cuisine, but it has led to a sharp decline in rice consumption. This is concerning because rice is the original source of carbohydrates in Japanese cuisine and a major staple food. Omusubi Gonbei’s mission is to expand rice’s role in food culture, increase rice consumption, maintain and regenerate rice fields and create sustainable agricultural management through the sale of Omusubi. –Omusubi Gonbei
