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. Photo: Asa Lunden, Moderna Museet
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.
Margot Samel. Photo: Eileen Emond
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
