Anna Tellgren is Curator of Photography and Head of Research at Moderna Museet in Stockholm. She has curated numerous exhibitions including Annika Elisabeth von Hausswolff Alternative Secrecy (2021). The exhibition Francesca Woodman. On Being an Angel (2015) has been touring internationally for several years. In 2023 she was in the curatorial team of the exhibition Søsterskap Contemporary Nordic Photography at Rencontres de la Photographie in Arles. Among her most recent publications are contributions in A World History of Women Photographers (2022) and Fotografihistorier. Fotografi och bildbruk i Sverige (2022) a new history of Swedish photography.
Jeppe Ugelvig is a curator, historian, and cultural critic based in New York City. He holds an MA degree from the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College and has taught and lectured at institutions around the world such as Central Saint Martins, FIT, NYU, and University of Copenhagen on ranging topics in art criticism, fashion and curatorial theory, and art history. He is the author of two books: Fashion Work (2020) and Commodity Ecumene (2024). Jeppe has staged exhibitions in institutions and museums around the world, most recently “Endless Garment: Atlantic Basin” at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York, and the public art exhibition “Future Ours” at the United Nations with Hans Ulrich Obrist.
Margot Samel opened in Tribeca, New York, in May 2022, with a commitment to presenting research-driven exhibitions by international artists at all stages of their careers, often debuting their first shows in New York. Originally from Estonia, Margot Samel worked in galleries, museums, and artist-run spaces in Glasgow, and New York for over a decade before opening her eponymous gallery. The inaugural exhibition featured Estonian multidisciplinary artist Kris Lemsalu (b. 1985, Tallinn), whose complex sculptures, installations, and performances blur the boundaries between life and art, setting the tone for a program that embraces experimentation and collaboration across diverse artistic practices. While placing particular emphasis on contemporary artists from the Baltic region, the gallery also works with contemporary and historical artists from international backgrounds. Margot Samel is dedicated to fostering long-term relationships with both emerging and established artists, while collaborating with other galleries to support ambitious exhibitions and practices
After studying art history in Florence and political science in Paris, Sara Giuliattini took part in the creation of Le BAL, an exhibition space dedicated to documentary photography in Paris in 2010.
Today she co-directs, together with Laurent Chardon and Sebastian Hau, Polycopies, a non-profit organization for the dissemination and promotion of independent and experimental publishing practices in photography. Every year, to coincide with the Paris Photo fair, Polycopies organizes its festival and transforms the Concorde-Atlantique boat and the banks of the River Seine that border it, into a vast ephemeral bookstore entirely dedicated to photography books. More than a hundred French and international publishers and booksellers welcome visitors.
In 2024, she joined the team at La Chambre, an exhibition and training space dedicated to photography in Strasbourg, as a curator.
Her professional career combines knowledge of the contemporary and international photography scene with extensive experience in the development of artistic and cultural projects. For nearly 15 years, she has been committed to working with photographers in art centres, publishing houses and other exhibition spaces.
Foto Tallinn 2026 Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis is a curator and gallerist. Her international expertise stems from her long-standing work at Temnikova & Kasela Gallery and at ELLELL, Estonia’s first art advisory firm. She holds a Master’s degree in Art History and Visual Culture from the Estonian Academy of Arts and is a guest lecturer in curatorial studies there. She also teaches the course “The ABC of Art Collecting” at the Estonian Academy of Arts Open Academy. She has curated exhibitions at the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Punctum Gallery, Kogo Gallery, Margot Samel Gallery (New York), Asni Gallery (Riga), Vaal Gallery, and elsewhere.
Foto Tallinn 2026 Presents a Selection Chosen by Leading International Experts
At Estonia’s only international art fair dedicated to contemporary photography and presenting the very best of global practice, Foto Tallinn 2026 will showcase a selection chosen by highly esteemed professionals from the art world. The jury comprises Anna Tellgren, Jeppe Ugelvig, Margot Samel, and Sara Giuliattini.
“Foto Tallinn aims to bring together art enthusiasts, collectors, artists, and galleries who value high-quality photographic art, strong narrative, and a distinctive visual perspective that resonates with the viewer,” commented Foto Tallinn 2026 Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis. “In addition, the fair focuses on discussions, professional networking, innovative approaches, and artistic positions that have shaped artists’ work over the past five years, while also looking ahead to the future,” she added.
Focusing on contemporary photography and its future, Foto Tallinn will take place for the twelfth time this autumn and remains firmly committed to presenting the very best of contemporary photography and championing photographic art. “Contemporary photography is not separate from other, so-called traditional media such as printmaking or painting. It is a professional medium through which artists can address themes that matter to them and to viewers, whether expressed critically, illustratively, poetically, or conceptually,” said Hiob-Küttis. “For example, the collection of Moderna Museet includes over 100,000 photographic works. A comparable number of photographic works can be found in the permanent collections of Centre Pompidou and the Museum of Modern Art. In serious private collections, photographic art is likewise regarded as an essential component alongside other media,” she continued.
Hiob-Küttis noted that at Nan Goldin’s exhibition, which opened in January at the Gagosian gallery in London, the preview queue stretched around the block. At Frieze Los Angeles 2025, photographic works were presented in the Old Masters section alongside antique sculptures and modern paintings. Contemporary photography also held a prominent position at the February 2026 edition of Frieze LA.
“Younger-generation collectors are showing strong interest in editioned formats, which are often the first step on a collecting journey, as editioned works tend to be more accessible in price than unique pieces. Estonian art enthusiasts are great admirers and buyers of printmaking, demonstrating that editioned artworks are highly valued here. This paves an ideal path towards photography, which by its nature is also an editioned medium. While print editions often run to several dozen, photographic works are generally produced in editions of three to five,” she explained.
Foto Tallinn 2026 will take place from 18–20 September at Kai Art Center. Applications for artists and galleries are open until 23 March 2026. The selection made by the international jury of leading experts will be announced in late spring.
“It is a true honour to introduce the members of the Foto Tallinn 2026 jury. They are internationally recognised experts in the art field whose rich and diverse experience forms an exceptional whole. Among the jurors evaluating the works are representatives of highly influential institutions, voices offering academic and critical perspectives, professionals with experience in contemporary and private galleries, and specialists engaged with the latest developments in contemporary photography,” said Hiob-Küttis. “This offers applying artists an excellent opportunity to come to the attention of key experts,” she added.
The jury members are Anna Tellgren, Jeppe Ugelvig, Margot Samel, and Sara Giuliattini.
Anna Tellgren is Chief Curator of Photography at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, as well as a researcher and lecturer. She possesses extensive knowledge of the history of photography up to the present day, with a particular focus on the Nordic and Baltic art scenes.
Curator and cultural critic Jeppe Ugelvig writes regularly for leading specialist publications such as Artforum, Frieze, and Spike Art Quarterly, bringing to the jury a timely and critical perspective grounded in academic research.
New York–based gallerist and one of the organisers of the Esther art fair, Margot Samel is known for discovering outstanding talent. With extensive experience representing artists at major international fairs, she assesses the potential of submitted works specifically within the context of art fairs. Originally from Estonia, Samel opened her eponymous gallery in Tribeca, New York, in May 2022.
Sara Giuliattini, Co-Director of the photography publishing house Polycopies, contributes in-depth knowledge of the history of photography and the latest developments in contemporary photographic practice.
Foto Tallinn 2026 Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis is a curator and gallerist. Her international expertise stems from her long-standing work at Temnikova & Kasela Gallery and at ELLELL, Estonia’s first art advisory firm. She holds a Master’s degree in Art History and Visual Culture from the Estonian Academy of Arts and is a guest lecturer in curatorial studies there. She also teaches the course “The ABC of Art Collecting” at the Estonian Academy of Arts Open Academy. She has curated exhibitions at the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Punctum Gallery, Kogo Gallery, Margot Samel Gallery (New York), Asni Gallery (Riga), Vaal Gallery, and elsewhere.
Dedicated to contemporary photography, Foto Tallinn 2026 will take place from 18–20 September 2026 at Kai Art Center. Applications are open until 23 March 2026. The fair is organised by Foto Tallinn, the Estonian Union of Photography Artists, and the Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center. Foto Tallinn 2026 is supported by Sorainen, Sunly, Artproof, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, and the Tallinn Culture and Sports Department.
Foto Tallinn is a biennial international art fair presenting work selected by a jury of leading experts and represented by artists and galleries, bringing the latest contemporary photographic art to audiences while offering collectors and art enthusiasts the opportunity to discover new artworks, new ideas, and the artists themselves. Foto Tallinn – shaping the future of photographic art.
Further information: www.fototallinn.ee
Foto Tallinn, Estonia’s only international art fair dedicated to contemporary photography, has announced the dates for its 2026 edition and opened its call for applications. Artists working with photography and galleries representing them are invited to apply with work produced in recent years.
Taking place from 18–20 September 2026 at Kai Art Centre in Tallinn, the biennial art fair continues to position itself as a key meeting point for collectors, artists, and galleries engaged with the evolving field of photographic art.
“It is rarely advisable to begin looking towards the future with a retrospective, yet I would like to thank all the artists and audiences who participated in the previous edition,” said Kadi-Ell Tähiste, Executive Director of Foto Tallinn. “With both the last and the forthcoming fair, we are strengthening Tallinn’s presence on the international art scene — something that is profoundly important for our cultural landscape.”
The Artistic Director of Foto Tallinn 2026 is curator and art expert Lilian Hiob-Küttis, whose practice spans both the Estonian and international art scenes.
“Foto Tallinn 2026 seeks to connect collectors, artists, and galleries who value rigorous photographic practices, strong narrative frameworks, and distinctive visual languages,” Hiob-Küttis stated. “Alongside the presentations, the fair will foreground critical discussion, professional exchange and the artistic trajectories that have shaped photographic practice over the past five years — while also addressing future directions.”
Emphasising photography’s position within the wider contemporary art discourse, Hiob-Küttis added: “Photography must be understood as an integral part of the art canon — inseparable from broader social and cultural developments. There is a great deal of formally and conceptually compelling work emerging from our region, and I look forward to engaging with the practices presented through this open call.”
Applications are open until 23 March 2026. Participants will be selected by an international jury of leading art professionals.
Foto Tallinn is organised by Foto Tallinn, Estonian Union of Photography Artists, and Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center. The 2026 edition is supported by Sorainen, Sunly, Artproof, Estonian Cultural Endowment and Tallinn Department of Culture and Sports.
Held biannually, the international art fair Foto Tallinn presents jury-selected artists and galleries showcasing the latest contemporary photographic art, offering collectors and art audiences rare access to new artwork, new ideas, and the people behind the art.
Foto Tallinn – shaping the future of photographic art.
Further information and application details: www.fototallinn.ee
