From her early African-inspired work to her more recent experiments in interventionist techniques, Viviane Sassen has gained international acclaim for her striking, dynamic images that explore a range of themes and subjects—from identity, gender, and the body, to race, fashion, and the environment.

During the evening, get to know the work of Viviane Sassen through 2 parts: a tour through the exhibition by a Foam museum teacher, followed by an artist talk hosted by Munganyende Hélène Christelle. Alongside Sassen's work, we will also discuss the challenges emerging photographers face today. How do you develop an authentic style in times of rapid technical developments and emerging techniques, and how can image-makers relate to it?

After the talk there will be a book signing of Phosphor by Viviane Sassen. This retrospective book brings together both well and lesser-known works and includes pieces from her recent series. You'll be able to purchase the book directly at the signing.

Viviane Sassen (1972, Amsterdam) is a mixed-media artist. She studied fashion design, followed by photography at the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU). Sassen spent her childhood in Kenya, where her experiences served as the initial inspiration for her images. She later returned to Africa, creating the series Flamboya (2008), Parasomnia (2011), and Lexicon (2014), through which she gained recognition with a broader audience. Sassen is acclaimed for both her visual art and innovative fashion photography, with numerous publications in her name, including in New York Times Magazine, i-D, Numéro, POP, AnOther, and Dazed. Additionally, she has collaborated with renowned fashion brands such as Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Cartier, Armani, and Hermès. Her work has been exhibited worldwide, and in 2007 she was awarded the Dutch art prize Prix de Rome.