Liz Johnson Artur
of life of love of sex of movement of hope
Foam presents the solo exhibition of life of love of sex of movement of hope by London-based photographer Liz Johnson Artur. The exhibition celebrates daily events and brings them together as a form of storytelling in an attempt to elevate human emotion.
Drawing from her expansive thirty-year-long Black Balloon Archive, Johnson Artur's work develops around photographs and their encounters with people. While capturing moments, her photography engages in a constant process of dialogue. Johnson Artur places the photographs into different contexts to explore new ways to see the surfaces and moments represented in a picture. The visually engaging work uses texture and sculptural elements to convey the spirit of movement in everyday life. The exhibition will be presented as various site-specific installations, uniquely developed for Foam.
Discover more with Modern Perspectives
In the event Modern Perspectives, we invite guest speakers to share their interpretations of the photography in the museum. Every speaker will give their interpretation of the term 'community', which has become a keyword of our times. The evening will be guided by photographer Coco Olakunle.
Join the event on 2 February 2022.
Performance with Curtly Thomas
As part of his ongoing collaboration with Liz Johnson Artur, Curtly Thomas presents the performance entitled Doro's Leg - Legba's Dog. Through his experimentation with textures, movements and rhythms, Curtly Thomas explores the notion of the underground as a mythical place: one in which different times and places simultaneously coexist and overlap.
Watch the performance online from
27 January until 7 February.
Playlist by Aby Fulani: Visualising the work of Liz Johnson Artur through sound
We invited musician and producer Aby Fulani to create a playlist inspired by the works of Liz Johnson Artur. Offering a fresh way to experience the exhibition, music adds new dimensions to the essence of Liz's work.
About Liz Johnson Artur
Liz Johnson Artur has had a wide range of exhibitions and was recently awarded the Women In Motion Award, which was presented to the artist at Rencontres d’Arles in July of 2021. Her monograph Liz Johnson Artur published by Bierke Verlag (2016) was included in The New York Times' Best Photo Books 2016 list. For her most recent publication Valentino (Rizzoli, 2021) the artist, along with British author Bernardine Evaristo, were invited by fashion house Valentino to document their new collection. The result is an intimate reflection of the complex preparations and collaborations of a fashion show.
This exhibition is made possible by Fonds 21.
Foam is supported by the VriendenLoterij, Foam Members, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, the VandenEnde Foundation and Gemeente Amsterdam.
Liz Johnson Artur
of life of love of sex of movement of hope