The contemporary photography art fair Foto Tallinn is presenting to the public the exhibitions of 16 galleries and 15 individually applied artists, selected by an international jury. In total, the fair will feature works by 45 artists, the majority of whom will be present in person to introduce their work. The Foto Tallinn 2026 jury comprised highly respected professionals from the art world: Anna Tellgren (Moderna Museet, Stockholm), Jeppe Ugelvig (New York), Margot Samel (New York), Sara Giuliattini (Polycopies, Paris), and Foto Tallinn 2026 Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis.

Foto Tallinn received a record number of applications this year, with all jury members highlighting the high standard and diverse approaches to contemporary photographic art. “The overall quality of submitted works was very high, which made the selection and evaluation process both competitive and engaging,” commented Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis. “Identity, memory, and the construction of meaning emerged as recurring themes — expressed through the direction of attention towards seemingly marginal details. This focus is particularly pertinent at a time when the overabundance of images and information has become unsettlingly intense. The artists explore how the world is structured and how the viewer’s perception and understanding of meaning are shaped,” she added.

Jury member Sara Giuliattini noted that the projects that stood out for her were those exploring fundamental questions inherent to the photographic medium: experimental approaches that challenged the very nature of photography, interrogating its own substance. “I find the final selection of participants heterogeneous and rich in its facets, covering a wide range of contemporary creative expression. The topics explored and the materials used are varied, offering exciting discoveries for art lovers and collectors,” said Giuliattini.

This year’s Foto Tallinn features a significantly greater number of commercial galleries than ever before — 16 galleries presenting works by 30 artists in total. “The participating galleries are established players on the international stage, with a strong presence at leading art fairs worldwide,” said Lilian Hiob-Küttis. Alongside the gallery selection, visitors will also have the opportunity to encounter the work of 15 independently applied artists, who will be present at the fair to introduce their artwork. “Visitors, whether collectors, curators, or art audiences, can expect a tightly curated, internationally engaged fair with a particular emphasis on Baltic and Nordic galleries and artists,” added Hiob-Küttis.

Foto Tallinn 2026 participating galleries and the artists they represent: ALMA & (LV): Rasa Jansone (LV), Vika Eksta (LV); ASNI (LV): Agate Tūna (LV); Drifts (LT): Janina Sabaliauskaitė (LT/UK); FOKU Gallery (EE): Johanna Adojaan (EE), Roman-Sten Tõnissoo (EE), Tanja Muravskaja (EE), Tuukka Kaila (FI/EE); Gallery Halmetoja (FI): Antti J. Leinonen (FI), Elina Brotherus (FI); Helsinki Contemporary (FI): Emma Sarpaniemi (FI); ISSP Gallery (LV): MAREUNROL’S (LV), Rūta Kalmuka (LV); Kogo Gallery (EE): Kristina Õllek (EE), Līga Spunde (LV); Maksla XO (LV): David Penny (UK), Roman Korovin (LV); Punctum Gallery (EE): Joosep Kivimäe (EE), Kristine Krauze-Slucka (LV); SIC (FI): Sauli Sirviö (FI); Temnikova & Kasela Gallery (EE): Flo Kasearu (EE), Krista Mölder (EE), Sigrid Viir (EE); Kaunite kunstide akadeemia / Uniarts Helsinki (FI): Ananya Tanttu (FI), Diana Luganski (FI), Erkki Huilla (FI); TOBE Gallery (HU): Kincső Bede (RO); Tütar Gallery (EE): Dénes Farkas (EE/HU); Vasli Souza (NO): Hilla Kurki (FI), Taavi Rekkaro (EE).

Independently applied artists: Bob Bicknell-Knight (UK/EE), Elena Kristofor (UA/AT), Francesca Marengo (IT/UK), Gedvile Tamosiunaite (LT/DE), Jói Kjartans (IS/NO), Liina Leo (EE), Maria Kapajeva (EE/UK), MAryam Touzani (NL/MA), Mia Dudek (PL/PT), Naguel Rivero (AR/FR), Paul Kuimet (EE), Sarah Stone (UK/BE), Saskia Reis (DE), Sofia Runarsdotter (SE), Thordis Wolf (AT).

The Foto Tallinn 2026 jury comprised Anna Tellgren (Moderna Museet, Stockholm), Jeppe Ugelvig (New York), Margot Samel (New York), Sara Giuliattini (Polycopies, Paris), and Foto Tallinn 2026 Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis.

Anna Tellgren is Head Curator, Researcher, and Lecturer in the Photography Department at Moderna Museet, Stockholm’s museum of modern and contemporary art. She has exceptionally broad expertise spanning the history of photography through 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 including Artforum, Frieze, and Spike Art Quarterly.

New York-based gallerist Margot Samel is one of the organisers of the Esther art fair, runs her eponymous gallery in Tribeca, and has extensive experience representing artists at major international fairs.

Sara Giuliattini is Curator, and Co-Director of Polycopies, a Paris-based publishing house dedicated to photographic art.

Foto Tallinn 2026 Artistic Director Lilian Hiob-Küttis is a curator, gallerist, and lecturer. Her international expertise draws in part from her longstanding experience at Temnikova & Kasela gallery and the art advisory firm ELLELL.

Foto Tallinn 2026 takes place from 18 to 20 September at the Kai Art Center.

Foto Tallinn is a biennial international art fair presenting works by artists and galleries selected by a jury of leading experts, bringing audiences the very latest in contemporary photographic art and offering collectors and art enthusiasts the opportunity to encounter new artworks, new ideas, and the artists themselves. Foto Tallinn — shaping the future of photographic art.

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, FedEx, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, and the Tallinn Culture and Sports Department.

Foto Tallinn 2026 participants: https://fototallinn.ee/en/participants/

Foto Tallinn has announced the dates for its 2026 edition, and open call for applications. Photographic artists and the galleries representing them are invited to apply with works created in recent years. Applications are open to artists and galleries until 23 March 2026.

Foto Tallinn is a biannual art fair, and the only international art fair in Estonia dedicated to contemporary photography. Presenting work selected by a jury of leading Estonian and international experts, this year, it takes place from 18 to 20 September 2026 at Kai Art Center in Tallinn.

“It is rarely appropriate to begin looking toward the future with a retrospective, yet I would like to thank all the art enthusiasts and artists who participated in the previous Foto Tallinn art fair. We hope it was inspiring and rewarding — something also reflected in the numbers,” commented Kadi-Ell Tähiste, Executive Director of Foto Tallinn. “With the last edition and the upcoming fair, I believe we have further strengthened Tallinn’s position on the international art scene, which is extremely important to all of us,” she added.

The Artistic Director of Foto Tallinn 2026 is Lilian Hiob-Küttis, a renowned curator, art expert, and lecturer active on both the international and local art scenes. “Foto Tallinn 2026 aims to connect art collectors, artists, and galleries who value high-quality photographic art, strong narratives, and unique visual perspectives that resonate with viewers,” Hiob-Küttis noted. “The fair will also highlight discussions, professional networking, innovative approaches, and artistic developments that have shaped artists’ practices over the past five years — while also looking ahead to the future. Photography must be recognised as an essential part of the art canon. It is not isolated, but deeply connected to broader social and cultural developments. There is a great deal of distinctive and internationally compelling work emerging from our region’s contemporary art field, and I look forward to discovering the artists and galleries applying to the fair,” the Artistic Director added, inviting artists and galleries to participate.

The selection for Foto Tallinn 2026 is made by an international jury of leading experts.

The jury members for the fair’s 12th edition are Anna Tellgren, Jeppe Ugelvig, Margot Samel, and Sara Giuliattini.

“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 with academic and critical perspectives, professionals with experience in contemporary and private galleries, and specialists engaged with the latest developments in contemporary photography,” says Hiob-Küttis. “This offers applying artists an excellent opportunity to come to the attention of key experts,” she added.

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 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 in New York, Margot Samel is known for discovering outstanding talents. 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.

Full article HERE.