Double Feature at FOMU: New James Barnor and Chantal Akerman Exhibitions Open in Antwerp
The FOMU Photo Museum Antwerp has launched two major temporary exhibitions that bring world-class portraiture and groundbreaking feminist dialogue to the heart of Antwerp's 't Zuid district. Running from October 27, 2023, to March 10, 2024, these presentations highlight both the global history of photography and the enduring influence of Belgian cinema.
Tracing James Barnor’s Pioneering Photographic Journey to Antwerp
The exhibition James Barnor - Studio of Life offers visitors a comprehensive look at the extensive career of the Ghanaian photographer (born 1929), whose dynamic images documented monumental social shifts across West Africa and Europe. Barnor's work serves as a vital bridge connecting the cultures of Accra, London, and the Antwerp province.
From Accra's Independence to Agfa-Gevaert in Mortsel
In 1949, Barnor established his famous Ever Young portrait studio in Accra. The studio quickly became a vibrant gathering space for citizens during the final years of British colonial rule. As one of Ghana's earliest local photojournalists, Barnor captured the energy of a society on the verge of its 1957 independence.
His journey eventually took him to the United Kingdom in 1959, where he documented the lives of the Black diaspora, mastered color photography at the Medway College of Art, and shot iconic cover portraits for Drum magazine.
Local visitors will find a particularly compelling regional connection in Barnor's biography: in 1969, he spent several months in Mortsel, just outside Antwerp, training at the Agfacolorschool. Here, he studied the specialized color development processes of Agfa-Gevaert. He later brought this technological expertise back to Accra to establish Ghana's very first commercial color-processing laboratory.
To learn more about the photographer's decades-spanning career, visitors can consult his detailed biography.
Exploring Contemporary Feminism in "Her Voice: Echoes of Chantal Akerman"
Alongside the retrospective of James Barnor, FOMU presents Her Voice - Echoes of Chantal Akerman. This group exhibition brings together photography and video art from seven contemporary artists who draw inspiration from the revolutionary Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman (1950–2015).
Akerman's highly personal exploration of family dynamics, domestic life, trauma, and identity made waves in the 1970s. Her masterpiece, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975), was recently named the greatest film of all time by the British Film Institute, cementing her lasting legacy.
Seven Artists Reinterpret a Belgian Cinematic Icon
The exhibition features works by Manon de Boer, Moyra Davey, Gabby Laurent, Frida Orupabo, Joanna Piotrowska, Collier Schorr, and Carmen Winant. Each artist addresses Akerman's themes from a modern perspective:
- Collier Schorr translates the intimacy of Akerman's 1974 film Je, tu, il, elle into a physical performance.
- Carmen Winant contributes a new installation focused on mother-daughter relationships.
- Joanna Piotrowska investigates the quiet psychological tensions of domestic spaces.
- Frida Orupabo and Gabby Laurent offer direct visual responses to mid-century feminist issues.
To enrich the gallery experience, the museum is collaborating with Cinema Lumière to host dedicated film screenings of Akerman's work. Additionally, on February 23, 2024, FOMU will host a special late-night museum event in partnership with the feminist art collective Dis Mon Nom.
Plan Your Visit to Fotomuseum Antwerpen
Located in a converted historic warehouse in Antwerp’s arts-centric South quarter, FOMU regularly rotates its gallery spaces to keep the local community engaged with diverse global perspectives.
Whether you are a resident or visiting the city for the weekend, this double feature provides a wonderful opportunity to experience world-class visual storytelling. To discover more upcoming events, you can find what's on in Antwerp or search for other inspiring destinations when you explore museums in the area on Musemap (musemap.art).
