A must-see free exhibition has opened in Toulouse, featuring photographer Boby's work at Café Visionnaire, owned by his friends and French rap duo Bigflo and Oli. Running until February 28, 2026, the exhibition showcases the photographer's unique perspective on celebrity life, sports events, and street photography.
Boris Allin, known professionally as Odieux Boby, has become the official photographer for rap duo Bigflo and Oli over several years. According to Oli, "He has a healthy and pure relationship with photography, almost naive, like that of a beginner. He's the most successful amateur photographer I know." The exhibition takes place at Café Visionnaire, the rappers' headquarters located in downtown Toulouse, which serves as both a boutique and cultural venue.
The exhibition coincides with the release of Boby's book "Cafoucho," published by Fisheye éditions, which chronicles 15 years of his photography work. The book captures intimate moments with stars, major sporting and cultural events worldwide, as well as candid street scenes and powerful images from various protests and demonstrations. The title "Cafoucho" comes from a Provençal word meaning "mess" or "chaos," which Boby's mother used to say when telling him to clean his room as a child.
"When I was little, my mother would always come into my little brother's and my room and tell me 'range ton cafucho, range ton cafoucho' [clean up your mess]," Boby explained. "Since I've grown up, my room is rather tidy, but what's not well organized are my hard drives. It's been several years that my editor, FishEye, has been telling me to make a book. So I went digging through my 33 hard drives, which is equivalent to 33 teenager bedrooms, to find the images. I cleaned up my cafoucho to release the book!"
For the Toulouse exhibition, Boby carefully selected photos that would resonate with the local audience. "There are photos from the book, and since we're in Toulouse, I brought out photos of Antoine Dupont and Léon Marchand who come from here, as well as from the Rose Festival," he said. The exhibition also features recent work, including images from the latest Tour de France, and some previously unpublished photos, including an exclusive portrait of Kendrick Lamar.
The display includes personal memorabilia such as his first photo published on the front page of Le Monde newspaper, press credentials, and passes. The exhibition also features large-format prints of notable figures like Guy Roux and scenes from the Rose Festival, strategically placed throughout the venue. "Oli gave me carte blanche and pushed me, saying I had to surprise him," Boby noted. "So I'm trying to surprise him! All these photos trace 15 years of work!"
Boby's photography career spans an impressive range of subjects, from Formula 1 races in Monza to the Olympics, from photographing stars at the Rose Festival to capturing protest movements. This diversity reflects his background and passion for documenting all aspects of society. "I come from a small village in the south of France called Lambesc. My father was a submariner, my mother was an aeronautical technician. My parents didn't have their high school diploma and nothing predestined me to have this career path! A bit like Flo and Oli, actually!"
He describes his approach to photography with enthusiasm: "I have the same happiness being in the middle of a protest with guys who struggle to make ends meet, and at the same time, spending time with the richest people in the world. These are two worlds that never meet, and through my book and my exhibition, I manage to make them coincide, even though I know it doesn't really happen in real life."
Boby's relationship with Bigflo and Oli began during their "Gangsta" era, their first single from their debut album "La Cour des grands." He met them at a charity concert with Casseurs Flowteurs at the Transbordeur in Lyon, where he captured a photo of Oli in the crowd that impressed the rapper. "He really liked the photo and contacted me on Facebook asking me to send it to him. And he offered me to accompany them on tour, but I was already committed with Deluxe, so it didn't work out."
Their collaboration intensified when they reconnected after the release of "Dommage." "They offered me to follow them to one Zénith [concert venue], then two, then three... Little by little, we intensified our collaboration!" Boby has witnessed their remarkable evolution over nearly a decade. "It's been a long time since I've known them and it's so great to see the way they've evolved... It's a crazy evolution, when you think about it! They never gave up anything and I think it's so cool that they're jack-of-all-trades!"
Over the years, Boby has documented the duo's visual transformation and growth. "Ten years ago, it was Bigflo who always had the cap, now it's Oli. The cap changed partners!" He recalls memorable photo shoots, including an impromptu session in New York where "the guys went to a store in New York, they bought two bags of clothes. And then we went to Coney Island on a Monday morning. There was nobody, we were carrying the bags around, changing in the street. These are great memories!"
Boby's own photographic style has evolved significantly over his 15-year career. He credits Liberation newspaper with pushing him to go beyond merely informative photos to find "a supplement of soul." His approach to protest photography demonstrates this philosophy: "When everyone looks to the right, I try to look to the left... I don't go directly to where things are breaking. It's also doing justice to those who demonstrate by not only taking the trash can that burned. It's a deontological duty, somewhere. And it also gives great photos!"
The exhibition also displays a personal treasure: a drawing that Oli made of Boby on a paper napkin during a recording session in Brooklyn. "Oli - who nicknames me El Curioso because he finds that I ask a lot of questions - drew me on a paper napkin. And I've always kept this drawing by Oli, which I find too cute! He's still one of the biggest current rappers, and he made my portrait! It's so classy!"
The "Cafoucho" exhibition represents more than just a photo display; it's a testament to friendship, artistic evolution, and the power of photography to bridge different worlds. Visitors can experience 15 years of Boby's unique perspective completely free of charge at Café Visionnaire, located at 23 rue des Puits-Clos in Toulouse, through February 28, 2026.
