Foto Tallinn 2024, photo by Aron Urb
The major contemporary art event Foto Tallinn will bring audiences a selection of the best recent photographic art, chosen from a record number of applicants by an international jury of leading experts, alongside a rich programme for art collectors, enthusiasts and professionals in the field. Foto Tallinn 2026 will take place at Kai Art Center from 18–20 September and will present works by 45 artists from 15 countries. The fair will feature 16 galleries and 15 independently exhibiting artists. A special programme for art collectors will run alongside a 15-event public programme of diverse tours, discussions, and conversations. More than 90 international guests are expected to attend, while participating gallerists and artists themselves will be on site to present the works.
“Photography is a complex medium, and I believe that is precisely what makes it particularly valuable today,” says Lilian Hiob-Küttis, Artistic Director of Foto Tallinn 2026. “It gives us an opportunity to develop our critical thinking: what has been staged, what actually happened, what has been manipulated, and what has been artificially generated? These things are not necessarily obvious at first glance. Understanding an image often depends on whether we know something about its author, its narrative, its history and its cultural references,” she adds.
Estonia’s only art fair dedicated to photographic art, Foto Tallinn takes place every two years and will be held for the 12th time this year. From a record number of applicants, an international jury selected 16 art galleries and 15 independently exhibiting artists. Altogether, the fair will present works by 45 artists from 15 countries. More than 90 international guests are expected at Foto Tallinn, including art collectors, representatives of museums, exhibition institutions and art foundations, as well as journalists. Participating gallerists and artists will be on site to introduce the works on display.
“Each edition is shaped by a different international expert jury, giving the art fair its own character while reflecting the current state and future directions of photographic art internationally and ensuring a high level of quality for audiences,” says Kadi-Ell Tähiste, Director of Foto Tallinn. “Art fairs are a highly valued format around the world. They offer audiences a concise overview of the latest developments in the art field, as well as the opportunity to meet gallerists and artists directly,” Tähiste explains.
Lilian Hiob-Küttis & Kadi-Ell Tähiste, photo by Laura Arum-Lääts
The artists selected for this year’s Foto Tallinn, taking place at Kai Art Center from 18–20 September, are characterised by clearly defined photographic practices, strong narrative frameworks and distinctive visual languages.
According to Lilian Hiob-Küttis, in an unprecedented age of image overconsumption, stories that resist dominant visual and ideological patterns have become increasingly important. A critical relationship with truth and narrative is gaining significance, as is the question of how a personal point of view shapes our understanding of reality. “Identity, upbringing, community, family stories and personal mythologies, as well as the unease and strangeness of the world we inhabit — all of these find artistic expression at Foto Tallinn in different ways.”
The jury for Foto Tallinn 2026 comprised Anna Tellgren (Moderna Museet, Stockholm), Jeppe Ugelvig (New York), Margot Samel (New York), Sara Giuliattini (Polycopies, Paris), and Lilian Hiob-Küttis, Artistic Director of Foto Tallinn 2026.
Galleries and artists participating in Foto Tallinn 2026
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)
The Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki / 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 exhibiting 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 (MA/NL), Mia Dudek (PL/PT), Naguel Rivero (AR/FR), Paul Kuimet (EE), Sarah Stone (UK/BE), Saskia Reis (DE), Sofia Runarsdotter (SE), Thordis Wolf (AT).
Foto Tallinn 2026 takes place from 18–20 September at Kai Art Center. Information about participants and the public programme:
www.fototallinn.ee
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.
Foto Tallinn is organized by Foto Tallinn, the Estonian Union of Photography Artists / FOKU, and the Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center / Kai Art Center. Foto Tallinn 2026 is supported by Sunly, Sorainen, Artproof, FedEx, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Tallinn and co-funded by the European Union.
Press images
Foto Tallinn 2026 — team
Foto Tallinn 2026 — jury
Foto Tallinn 2026 — selection of works presented at the fair
Selection of photographs from the previous Foto Tallinn art fair — photo selection
