André Ramos-Woodard

, André Ramos-Woodard addresses the widespread anti-Black racism deeply rooted in American society. The work centres around the idea that to heal from the harm and pain caused by this, it's essential to acknowledge its history.

Critiquing the media's portrayal of Black individuals through stereotypical imagery, Ramos-Woodard takes a unique approach. He recreates illustrations of Black people, found throughout the history of cartooning, and blends them with his own photographs that celebrate Black identity, inspired by his personal experiences. 

Drawing from his lifelong love of comic books and anime, Ramos-Woodard seamlessly combines photography and illustration, creating a visual language that unites contrasting realities. Through this approach, he confronts the audience with the long-lasting effects of racial hierarchies, using the familiar and funny aspects of cartoons to turn them into a tool to advocate for change.

Authenticity (2 CHAINZ), 2022, from the series BLACK SNAFU

My people have had to cry, scream, and fight for respect for centuries, and we still have not gained what we deserve.

Trophies, 2020, from the series BLACK SNAFU

Buds, 2020, from the series BLACK SNAFU

BLACK SNAFU

Drawing Mickey in Melodrama

Coonin' and bafoonin', 2023, from the series BLACK SNAFU

Niggas at the park, 2021, from the series BLACK SNAFU

Hate monger, 2022, from the series BLACK SNAFU

United States education system, 2022, from the series BLACK SNAFU

To move past the damage [anti-Blackness] has done to our society, we can’t simply deny our history—we must recognize it.

BL!NG, 2020, from the series BLACK SNAFU

Zooted, 2020, from the series BLACK SNAFU

 in 2018. Using inkjet print as the medium, the artwork is displayed at 103 x 127 cm.

Untitled (Two Girls Embrace), 2018

Foam is supported by the VriendenLoterij, Foam Members, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, the VandenEnde Foundation and the City of Amsterdam.

In 2021 Foam receives additional support from the Mondriaan Fund and Kickstart Cultuurfonds

visible in

Tyler Mitchell’s work visualises a black utopia. Making use of candy colour palettes and natural light, Mitchell captures young black people in gardens, parks or in front of idyllic studio backdrops where they appear as free, expressive, effortless, sensitive and proud. The utopia that Mitchell creates, makes one realise how highly it contrasts with the way reality is represented. He produces holistic imagery of individuals from his community and brings their humanity to the forefront.

Untitled (Two Girls Embrace), 2018 from the series I Can Make You Feel Good

Untitled (Two Girls Embrace)

 in 2018. Using inkjet print as the medium, the artwork is displayed at 150 x 210 cm.

Boys of Walthamstow, 2018

Boys of Walthamstow, 2018 from the series I Can Make You Feel Good

Boys of Walthamstow

Photography is a powerful tool that plays an important role in constructing cultural identity. <a href="/book-a-visit/public/zooming-in-photography-performance-and-the-mythical/21-07-2021">Sign up</a> to join us on 21 July for a Zoom conversation with Foam Talents Plantation (Ayomide Tejuoso) and Lisandro Suriel, along with artist-archivist Angela N. Carroll.

This Summer, we dive deeper into Foam Talent 2021 by pairing up the selected artists in an online Zoom conversation. Each of the three events will be divided into two parts. The first part introduces the artists and their projects, focussing on their approach and motivation. After this, we take a closer look at the topics connecting the artists' work, aiming to contextualize their series within the photography field as well as current discourses in society. Each conversation will feature special guests to share their unique perspectives and reflections.
EPISODE 2: PHOTOGRAPHY, PERFORMANCE AND THE MYTHICAL Foam Talents: Plantation (Ayomide Tejuoso) and Lisandro Suriel Special guest: Angela N. Carroll Date: 21 July 2021, 18:30 - 20.00 hrs CET
Photography is a powerful tool that&nbsp;plays an important role in constructing cultural identity.&nbsp;Questions on its influence on the viewer&rsquo;s perception, bias, and thoughts contribute to an important&nbsp;discussion on representation. Plantation (Ayomide Tejuoso) and Lisandro Suriel have developed unique approaches weaving photography, performance and mysticism, offering a visual exploration of identity and belonging.
In their practices, both artists relate to the metaphysical and integrate performance into their work processes. Centring on the body of the artist, Plantation (Ayomide Tejuoso)&rsquo;s work is about finding her space in the world to reflect on issues like sexism, racism, and homophobia. Lisandro Suriel&rsquo;s project Ghost Island stems from his research on forgotten histories in Saint Martin and combines academia and indigenous knowledge to create new imaginary.&nbsp;
In their own ways and rooted in their individual cultural backgrounds, both artists contribute to a more expansive visual representation of Black identity. Together with Angela N. Carroll, artist-archivist and investigator of art history and culture, Plantation (Ayomide Tejuoso) and Lisandro Suriel will share insights into their artistic processes, research and the context of their work.
WATCH BACK
<ul>
<li>21 June:&nbsp;Intimacy in Times of Social Distancing&nbsp;with&nbsp;Ana Vallejo, Leonard Suryajaya and Gem Fletcher. -&gt;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q79jOhTZz48">Watch it here</a></li>
<li>21 July:&nbsp;Photography, Performance and the Mythical&nbsp;with Lisandro Suriel, Plantation and&nbsp;Angela N. Carroll. -&gt;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNZpxY24sJg&amp;t=17s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch it here</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="/book-a-visit/public/zooming-in-photography-performance-and-the-mythical/21-07-2021"><img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/113697/2964x4752/76efb19ebd/15.jpg" alt="" width="596" height="956" /></a>Image from the series Jesus is white and other confessions &copy; Plantation (Ayomide Tejuoso), courtesy of the artist.
UPCOMING EPISODES
<ul>
<li class="p1">25 August 2021, 18.30 hrs CET: On Belonging&nbsp;with&nbsp;Delali&nbsp;Ayivi&nbsp;and Sol&egrave;ne&nbsp;G&uuml;n.</li>
</ul>
The Foam Talent Programme and the annual Talent issue of Foam Magazine are supported by&nbsp;the Deutsche B&ouml;rse Photography Foundation and the VandenEnde Foundation.
Foam Magazine is sponsored by Igepa Netherlands BV, supplier of excellent paper.
Foam is supported by the VriendenLoterij, Foam Members, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, the VandenEnde Foundation and the City of Amsterdam.
In 2021 Foam receives additional support from the Mondriaan Fund and Kickstart Cultuurfonds.

<div class="sidebar__content">EVENT INFO 
<div class="sidebar-widget">
25 August 2021
 TIME 18.30 hrs CET
&nbsp;
PRICE Free
&nbsp;
PLEASE NOTE This is an online event.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foam.org/book-a-visit/public/zooming-in-on-belonging/25-08-2021">Sign up</a> to receive a link to the online Zoom event.
</div></div>

Zooming In: Photography, Performance and the Mythical

On 17 August at Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam, various experts will discuss Gordon Parks&rsquo; use of photography as a weapon against poverty, racism and social inequality.

The conditions under which Parks&rsquo; photography, literature and films originated offer a basis for discussing current social matters on emancipation and representation of black identity in photography. During the event Weapon of Choice: Photography and Black Representation, Gordon Parks&acute; influence as a storyteller and his role in breaking new ground for African American artists will be discussed.
Art historian, curator and professor Deborah Willis is the keynote speaker of the programme. She will give an historical overview of black representation in photography with an emphasis on the work of Gordon Parks. The following guests will contribute to the event:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Kim Knoppers, Foam, curator of the exhibition Gordon Parks &ndash; I Am You. Selected Works 1942-1978;</li>
<li>Nana Adusei-Poku (PhD), independent scholar and writer- on contemporary visual culture and black representation;</li>
<li>Ren&eacute;e Mussai on The Black Chronicles - a project by Autograph ABP (UK) that focuses on exploring black presences in 19th and early 20th-century Britain;</li>
<li>Guillermo Blinker, spoken word artist and contemporary dancer- performance; about media imaging and police brutality.</li>
<li>The Black Archives,&nbsp;a unique collection of books, archives and artefacts, which contains the legacy of Surinamese and black writers, scientists and movements, whose stories in the Netherlands have remained invisible for a long time. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
The evening will begin and end with music by <a href="https://soundcloud.com/lionkojo">Lion Kojo</a>.
The exhibition Gordon Parks - I Am You. Selected Works 1942-1978 is made possible with support from the American Embassy and the Democracy and Media Foundation. With special thanks to The Gordon Parks Foundation. Foam is supported by the BankGiro Loterij, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Delta Lloyd, the City of Amsterdam, Olympus and the VandenEnde Foundation.

<div class="sidebar__content">EVENT INFO 
17 August 2017 19.00 - 21.30 hrs.
&nbsp;
PRICE &euro; 5,00
&gt; fully booked &lt;&nbsp; 
LOCATION Tolhuistuin Tolhuisweg 3 Amsterdam <a href="https://www.google.nl/maps/dir/''/Tolhuisweg+3,+1031+CL+Amsterdam/data=!4m5!4m4!1m0!1m2!1m1!1s0x47c609b393d741bf:0x3187b69f33314516?sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjtmqTGuZ3VAhXIWhoKHSF_AkIQwwUIKTAA">Directions</a></div>

black identity

André Ramos-Woodard

Untitled (Two Girls Embrace), 2018 from the series I Can Make You Feel Good

Boys of Walthamstow, 2018 from the series I Can Make You Feel Good

Zooming In: Photography, Performance and the Mythical

Black representation through photography