A raw and intimate exploration of identity, curated by Anthony Vaccarello
Saint Laurent Babylone will unveil a new exhibition of works by D. M. Terblanche, curated by Anthony Vaccarello, opening September 3 and on view through September 28. Hosted under the house’s Rive Droite initiative, the show continues Saint Laurent’s ongoing support of contemporary artists whose voices challenge, provoke, and reflect.
Saint Laurent Babylone is a fresh incarnation of the house’s cultural and curatorial arm. Part bookstore, part gallery, part global cabinet of curiosities, the destination continues to reflect Anthony Vaccarello’s expansive vision for the brand—bridging fashion, art, music, and literature in unexpected ways.
Terblanche, who first began their photographic journey through cellphone self-portraits, has since developed a deeply personal analog practice that revolves around the portrait as a site of vulnerability, evolution, and resistance. Their images often occupy a space between introspection and distortion—acts of quiet confrontation with the past and an evolving sense of self.
At the heart of the artist’s work is an exploration of queer identity and the complex emotional landscape shaped by a late autism diagnosis. The themes that emerge—trauma, terror, and uncertainty—are handled with a raw, emotional honesty that avoids spectacle and instead invites contemplation. Their aesthetic draws on the intimacy of Nan Goldin, the intensity of Ren Hang, and the poetic documentary spirit of Jo Ractliffe.
“Photography has always been a tool of confrontation and survival,” Terblanche has said, framing the exhibition as both political and personal.
The artist was recently featured in Paris Photo’s Real Life Is Not Black and White project, a collaboration with Magnum and Polaroid that spotlighted emerging voices in analog photography.
All works from the Saint Laurent Babylone exhibition will be available for sale, and a fanzine created for the occasion will be available in-store.