Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam Highlights Artist Sasha Velichko in Latest Talent Showcase
Amsterdam's canal-side photography museum is currently highlighting the boundary-pushing work of Sasha Velichko as part of the 17th edition of its biannual showcase. This initiative, known as the Foam Talent Programme, gathers outstanding contemporary image-makers from around the world. In a period defined by global displacements and political shifts, this year's selected artists focus their lenses on the concept of home, investigating the deeply personal connections that unite us across fractured landscapes.
Sasha Velichko’s Striking Critique of Belarus at Foam Amsterdam
Among the standout selections is Belarusian artist Sasha Velichko, whose featured project State of Denial explores life under the restrictive regime of Alexander Lukashenko, who has held power in Belarus since 1994. Velichko, a former scientist who was forced to flee her home country in 2021 due to political persecution, approaches her art with a researcher’s eye.
In State of Denial, Velichko captures the absolute absurdity of living under a state system that heavily monitors and retroactively criminalizes ordinary daily actions. Her highly structured, staged performances document a reality where simple acts are viewed through a lens of suspicion.
To emphasize this distortion of truth, her photographs are displayed alongside explanatory texts of actual events. Next to these, Velichko showcases a series of surreal AI-generated images created directly from official state news headlines published on the exact same days. This juxtaposition exposes the strange, dreamlike nature of state-approved propaganda and the post-truth climate it fosters.
Visual Storytelling and Global Recognition
Velichko’s work has garnered significant international acclaim, earning her a nomination for the FUTURES platform by Fotofestiwal Łódź and the Fotofestiwal Grant in 2026. Her striking visual commentary is featured in the dedicated talent issue of the museum's in-house publication, and visitors interested in reading the full critical analysis can order Foam Magazine #68 directly.
For those exploring the city's creative scene, a visit to this photography hub offers an immersive look into how modern image-makers are responding to heavy global themes with innovation and courage.
If you are crafting your own cultural itinerary, Musemap (musemap.art) can help you find similar visual arts venues. You can easily browse museums across the city, find out what's on exhibitions during your visit, or consult the interactive map view to navigate Amsterdam's historic museum district.
