Ryan Lee is pleased to announce Lottery, an exhibition of photographs and video installation by Martine Gutierrez. Arising out of a recent performance in Paris that took inspiration from 1970s feminist performance art, Gutierrez incorporates her tool of choice, the camera, to subvert hierarchies of power and explore notions of control and access.

On November 15, 2025, Paris Photo invited Gutierrez to present a live performance at the Grand Palais, titled Lottery. A departure from her solitary photographic practice, the artist relinquished authorship and autonomy over her image, opening her practice to audience members selected by chance.

Organized as a participatory photo shoot, the work invited audience members holding winning numbers to direct a series of portrait sessions, with images produced and displayed in real time. Winners were granted total creative authority––no matter the request. Gutierrez obeyed every command, and in doing so exposed the ethical limits of spectatorship and the conditions under which control is exercised, surrendered, and enforced.

Out of concern for Gutierrez’s safety, the performance itself was halted by Paris Photo after sixty minutes.

From a total of 755 images taken by Lottery winners, Gutierrez selected 17 images that will be on display at Ryan Lee Gallery. Also on view is a video installation, which recreates a transitory environment with restricted access, serving as a narrative precursor of the performance and physical foil to the photographs.

To witness is to participate.

(Text by Martine Gutierrez)