Dar & Borj
A body of work devoted to houses and the architectural memory of Sfax.
Author photographer
Pierre Gassin
A career devoted to photography, publishing and transmission, attentive to territories, gestures and Mediterranean heritage.
Journey
From Paris to Tunisia
Pierre Gassin’s career includes the Centre Iris in Paris, where photography, teaching and exhibitions came together. In Tunisia, it continued through publishing projects, transmission and the promotion of heritage.
In Sfax and later Kerkennah, his work moved closer to architecture, know-how, the sea, inhabitants and the forms of memory that shape his photographic series.
Publishing
Photography in print
Felouques
Poetry by Ahlem Ghayaza with photographs by Pierre Gassin.
Cercinae
An editorial continuation of the work developed around Kerkennah.
Exhibitions & recognition
A body of work shown and shared
Exhibitions, photographic encounters, publications and teaching initiatives accompany Pierre Gassin’s work. The Press section brings together editorial and media resources available on the site.
In brief
Based in Kerkennah, Tunisia. Roles: author photographer, publisher and trainer. Heritage partnership: Agence du Patrimoine. Founder: Centre Iris (Paris), Palais de la Photographie (Sfax), Galerie Gassin (Kerkennah).
A Mediterranean gaze
The Paris years: Centre Iris
For 22 years, Pierre Gassin was a central figure in photography in Paris. By creating and directing the Iris professional training centre and art gallery, he conceived more than 200 exhibitions and accompanied nearly 2,500 photographers. That period shaped his educational vision and artistic standards, which he continues to transmit through his masterclasses.
Putting down roots in Tunisia: Sfax & Kerkennah
Deeply Mediterranean, he chose Tunisia as his adopted home. In Sfax, he founded the Palais de la Photographie for “Sfax, Capital of Arab Culture”. There he led major projects involving young people, including Architectures de Sfax and Vestiges et Traces.
Now based in the Kerkennah archipelago, he opened Galerie Gassin in November 2023, the first island venue dedicated to culture and ecology. He directs Éditions 55, publishing books that document tangible and intangible heritage.
Bibliography & publishing
Dar & Borj (Med Ali Édition), led by Aida Zahaf. 312 pages and 236 photographs. A reference work on Sfaxian architecture.
Felouques (Éditions 55 & Orients Éditions), a collection of poems by Ahlem Ghayaza with photographs by Pierre Gassin, supported by the Institut Français.
Cercinae (Nova-2 catalogue), on the mystique of the islands and traditional Charfia fishing.
Tunisiennes et Saveurs des Terroirs (GIZ), promoting culinary and human heritage.