Contemporary Photography at Foam Amsterdam: Exploring Paola Jiménez Quispe’s 'Rules for Fighting'
Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam continues its long-standing tradition of showcasing groundbreaking contemporary photography. As part of its commitment to uncovering fresh perspectives, the museum's celebrated talent development initiative highlights emerging artists who push the boundaries of visual storytelling. Among the featured names in the Foam Talent 2026 cohort is Peruvian photographer and archivist Paola Jiménez Quispe, whose poignant project investigates the complexities of personal loss, domestic life, and memory.
Inside 'Rules for Fighting': A Journey Through Family Archives in Amsterdam
Jiménez Quispe’s project, titled Reglas para pelear / Rules for Fighting, takes an unexpected physical form. Designed to resemble a weathered school notebook, the photobook transitions from ordinary graph paper and handwritten parent notes into a deeply emotional sequence of images. Through a careful arrangement of light leaks, color shifts, and cinematic motion blurs, she transforms everyday domestic fragments—such as doorways, stairs, and old family photographs—into powerful, tension-filled visual narratives.
Rather than simply documenting events, the Lima-based artist uses photography as a medium to evoke raw, universal emotions from highly personal experiences. Her approach joins a broader contemporary movement of Latin American artists who dig into family archives to make sense of ancestral loss and regional histories. For her innovative work, Jiménez Quispe has earned prestigious accolades, including the Images Vevey Special Jury Prize and a nomination for the Aperture Photobook Award.
Discovering Global Talents at Foam Fotografiemuseum
The inclusion of Rules for Fighting in the museum's programming underscores the broader mission of the Foam Talent Programme. In this seventeenth edition, fifteen selected creators address some of the most pressing questions of our time, exploring themes of home, separation, and domesticity in an era of global uncertainty. Visitors looking to explore these themes further can find the full portfolio featured in Foam Magazine’s talent issue, which is available to order online or purchase directly.
When preparing your cultural itinerary in the Dutch capital, using a discovery platform like Musemap (musemap.art) can help you easily navigate local artistic landmarks. You can use the platform to find more museums nearby or consult the interactive city map to plan your next gallery visit in the city.
