the essential
Photographer Taïna Dexter inaugurated her new exhibition at the Chez Marcel bar in Tarbes. This event pays tribute to Tarbes personalities who inspire with their know-how and their interpersonal skills.
Photographer Taïna Dexter presents her new exhibition at the Chez Marcel bar, located Place Verdun in Tarbes. Much more than just an artistic presentation, this event celebrates inspiring local personalities. Among them is Florent Dasque, guitarist and singer of the group Boulevard des Airs.
The guests arrive in dribs and drabs, warmly welcomed by Taïna. To each, she offers a Brazilian bracelet in summer colors, whispering with a smile: “Make a wish”. This delicate attention reflects the spirit of the exhibition, anchored in sharing. To enrich the evening, Taïna invited the Tahitian dance association Tamarii Patitifa. In front of the fountain on Place de Verdun, the three dancers, dressed in crowns of ferns and floral dresses, performed graceful dances to captivating Polynesian music, lighting up the square with their smiles.
“It all started from forgetting fruit juice”
The idea for this exhibition came from a funny anecdote. “For my first exhibition in October, I forgot the fruit juice. I went to get some from Chez Marcel and I said to myself, ‘It would be great to exhibit here.’” That same evening, while rummaging through her memory box, the young woman came across a photograph of her grandfather, himself a photographer. “My grandfather always told me, ‘Taïna, you can do anything you want,’” she recalls. So Taïna wanted to pay tribute to these people who, like her grandfather, inspire and instill courage.
Originally from Tahiti, Taïna pays particular attention to the environment. All her prints are made with recyclable materials, a gesture consistent with her values. The portraits exhibited are in black and white, a timeless color that highlights the essence of the subjects photographed. Among them, a pregnant woman, naked. “Marjorie did not like to see her body change,” explains Taïna. “At the end of the session, she got naked.” An image full of sweetness and strength.
Photography was a real revelation for Taïna, helping her overcome her shyness. From her first self-portrait with her mother’s camera, she learned to see her body from a new angle, freed from traditional beauty criteria. A photographer since 2018, Taïna now helps others reconcile with their image.
Taïna Dexter’s photographs are on display at Chez Marcel until June 30, before the models leave with their portrait.
