Rediscovering Jos Houweling’s Surreal Football Collages at Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
The sensory energy of football is unmistakable: the smell of fresh grass, the roar of the crowd, and the intensity of the game. Yet, capturing this familiar world in fine art is a rare feat. In a feature highlighted from the archives of Foam, Dutch artist Jos Houweling’s vintage collages from his series Bal & Voet (Ball & Foot) offer a surreal, humorous, and deeply striking perspective on the world's most popular sport.
Exploring Creative Photography at Foam Amsterdam
For those interested in how contemporary image-makers challenge traditional visual boundaries, Foam frequently revisits historical essays and profiles. This specific look back at Houweling's work originally appeared in Foam Magazine, showcasing the publication's long-standing dedication to connecting archival photography with modern visual culture.
The collages themselves are absurd and dreamlike. Houweling populates the green pitch with impossible elements: conifers, high heels, handguns, and players swapping limbs as if trading cards. Despite these bizarre additions, the visual language remains undeniably tied to football, proving how deeply ingrained the sport's imagery is in our collective consciousness.
How a Television Screen Became a Canvas for Abstract Art
Houweling’s creative process began with a simple search for the perfect, seamless green. Finding his ideal shade in the freshly mown grass of televised football matches, the artist began capturing photos directly from the television screen during the 1970s. He waited for the precise moments when the screen showed nothing but pure green, using these shots as the foundation for his abstract and surreal collages.
While football has historically been an uncommon subject for fine art due to its overpowering visual rules, Houweling succeeded in dismantling those rules. His works strip away the literal nature of the sport to celebrate its chaotic, emotional essence.
The Artist Behind the Collages
Jos Houweling has been a significant figure in the Dutch art scene for decades. Beyond his collage work, he served as a teacher at the Rietveld Academie and later directed the Sandberg Instituut. His notable historical projects include the 700 Centenboek, a photobook marking Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary, which eventually became part of the collection at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
For visitors looking to discover more local art and photography spaces, Musemap (musemap.art) makes it easy to explore Amsterdam's museums or find current photography exhibitions throughout the city.
