Estonian and Finnish photographic artists join forces at Tallinn Photomonth, launching a new international collaboration format
The Tallinn Photomonth 2025 presents for the first time a collaborative exhibition of Estonian and Finnish photographic artists, initiated by the professional associations of the two countries – the Estonian Union of Photography Artists (FOKU) and the Finnish Association of Photographic Artists (VTL). The exhibition taking place in parallel at Hobusepea and FOKU galleries showcases the work of ten artists selected by an international jury.
Artists participating in the exhibition are Andre Joosep Arming, Cloe Jancis, Karel Koplimets, Kristina Õllek and Maria Kapajeva from Estonia, and Andrey Bogush, Karl Ketamo, Maija Tammi, Noora Geagea and Saara Ekström from Finland.
The jury included art historian and curator Marten Esko, artist and curator of the Estonian-Finnish exhibition Hertta Kiiski, chief curator of exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma Anna Mustonen, and art historian and founder of the Punctum Gallery Marina Rusakova. The participants were selected from more than 500 artists, among whom 52 FOKU and 468 VTL members.
“We were drawn to artists who treat the photographic medium not just as a way of making images, but as a way of thinking. Versatility was key,” said jury member and curator of the upcoming exhibition Hertta Kiiski. “I have to admit, I wasn’t very familiar with the Estonian art scene before this. But the level of quality was genuinely impressive – deeply attuned to broader currents in contemporary art.”
According to the curator, the works that will be shown at the Photomonth exhibition reflect an interrogation of what photography is, not just technically, but also culturally, emotionally, and politically. “Some artists dismantle the image to explore its components; others hybridize photography with sculpture or text. Across the board, there’s a restlessness, a desire to move past the image as mere representation, toward something more layered, more alive. It’s photography unbound,” commented Kiiski. “If the show raises questions rather than offers conclusions, I consider it a success.”
The joint exhibition is part of a broader collaborative project aimed at promoting a long-term cooperation between Estonian and Finnish photographic artists and curators.
“We are thrilled that the long-planned collaboration is finally coming to fruition. Oddly enough, there are not many projects taking place on the Estonian-Finnish axis, though Helsinki is closer to Tallinn than Tartu,” said Kulla Laas, director of Tallinn Photomonth and FOKU board member. “FOKU is smaller than the Finnish photographic artists’ association, which provides a good opportunity to learn from them and to get feedback on an organizational level. The collaboration is valuable also because it helps create new personal and professional relationships between artists and curators, and to reinforce a sense of belonging and representation in the field.”
According to VTL board member Anna Niskanen, the Finnish association has so far focused mainly on supporting local photographic artists, but the partnership with FOKU opens new opportunities for dialogue and visibility beyond national borders. “This kind of exhibition format has not been common in our association, and I am sure it will provide us with new knowledge on how photographic art is received and understood in different cultural contexts. Working closely with Estonian colleagues offers a rare chance to reflect on our own methods while discovering new ones. We see this as the beginning of a long-term, evolving partnership – one that can adapt and grow with time.”
The Estonian-Finnish exhibition will take place from 25 September to 20 October (the display at the FOKU gallery will stay open until 29 November) and is part of the main programme of the Tallinn Photomonth 2025. The exhibition will be accompanied by artist talks and a panel discussion addressing the future scenarios of photography, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the contemporary art field in Northern Europe. The project will have a next stage in the form of a follow-up exhibition in Finland in 2026.
Tallinn Photomonth is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the City of Tallinn. The main organiser of the biennial is the Estonian Association of Photographic Artists (FOKU).
The international contemporary art biennial Tallinn Photomonth takes place for the eighth time this year, from 5 September to 31 October. Information on the programme will be updated in the coming months.
Image credits:
Karl Ketamo. In No Time. Installation. 2025