Innova Art will return to Grande Halle de la Villette this October, 8-11, for Salon de la Photo 2026.
Visitors to the Innova Art stand will be treated to a display of previously unpublished images of a cultural icon. Photographed by Steven Katzman in 1993 the series of portraits capture former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali at home. Showing a softer side of the athlete and activist, the series includes a rare private moment with his young son.
Muhammad Ali is best known for being a boxer. He earned the nickname ‘the Greatest’ as he is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. Outside of his boxing accomplishments, Ali was a writer and spoken word artist. He was a devout Muslim, joining the nation of Islam in the early 1960’s, using his fame and faith to challenge racial injustice, oppose war, and advocate for human rights. He was also an amateur magician with a passion for sleight of hand, illusions and card tricks. In 1981 Ali retired from boxing, focussing on religion, philanthropy and activism until his death in 2016.
The work of Steven Katzman was introduced to Muhammad Ali in 1992 and one year later, in January 1993, the photographer met the man himself. Shooting the portraits shown on the Innova Art stand at Salon de la Photo 2026.
Capturing the images was an involved process. With Katzman meeting Ali the day before the shoot, using a simple magic trick to break the ice and laying the ground for taking the photos. During the shoot, Ali was struggling with the effects of the strobe lighting. So Katzman agreed to read passages from the Quran for Ali to record, alternating readings in exchange for five minutes of photography time.
The process of printing the images is illustrated in a video that will be shown on the Innova Art stand at Salon de la Photo 2026. Katzman worked to test various surfaces in the range before choosing the Innova Editions® Exhibition Photo Baryta 310gsm (IFA-069). Printed in his Santa Fe studio, the photos were originally shot on medium format black and white film. Showcasing a meeting of traditional techniques with digital innovation, Katzman has used his signature style to create digital edits, including vibrant colour composites.
Plan Your Visit to Salon de la Photo 2026
Salon de la Photo 2026, will be open October 8-11, at the Grande Halle de la Villette in Paris. Innova Art can be found on stand C112 where the team will be joined by French retailer, Torpedo. Tickets can be purchased online via www.lesalondelaphoto.com.