New Photographic Perspectives: Discovering the Latest Exhibitions at FOMU in Antwerp
The photographic scene in Antwerp is set for a dynamic season as FOMU (Photo Museum Antwerp) introduces three major exhibitions. These temporary showcases invite visitors to explore photography not just as a static medium, but as an interactive, highly personal, and socially engaged form of art. From immersive video installations to radical re-renderings of historical collections, these projects offer compelling reasons to visit Antwerp’s vibrant cultural quarter.
Reimagining the Archive: Grace Ndiritu at FOMU Antwerp
Running from February 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024, British-Kenyan artist Grace Ndiritu offers a transformative gaze on the museum’s own holdings. Her project constructs an alternative photographic realm using textiles, paintings, and distinctive interior environments. Drawing aesthetic cues from pioneering female artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Tina Modotti, and Anni Albers, Ndiritu challenges classical exhibition designs.
Ndiritu approaches the museum space as an environment for deceleration, hoping to foster intuitive connections rather than strictly rational analysis. The exhibition space itself is highly architectural, featuring warm wooden structures that evoke modernist home interiors and historic world’s fairs.
At the center of this project is her installation, A Quest for Meaning: Painting as a Medium of Photography (2014), which acts as a guide to her selections from the FOMU collection. Visitors will see works by prominent artists such as Samuel Bourne, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Rinko Kawauchi arranged in unexpected pairings against colored backdrops.
A notable highlight is the return of the historic Kaiserpanorama. Dating back to 1905, this newly restored 3D viewing carousel allows up to twenty-five people at a time to experience three-dimensional historical imagery.
For those looking to dive deeper into the artist's context, you can read Ndiritu’s biography on her official website or explore an analytical essay about her practice on Trigger Magazine. Additionally, her mid-career survey, Healing The Museum, is scheduled at S.M.A.K. in Ghent.
Documenting Humanity: Susan Meiselas and Her Collaborative Retrospective
From February 17 to June 4, 2023, FOMU presents a retrospective of renowned Magnum photographer Susan Meiselas. For nearly fifty years, Meiselas has used documentary photography to build connections, shed light on hidden social realities, and document human rights struggles.
Her process relies heavily on dialogue with her subjects. Rather than capturing a single image and moving on, Meiselas conducts long-term visual studies that incorporate audio, video, and published books.
The exhibition takes its title from her work reflecting on the late 1970s popular uprising in Nicaragua. Meiselas views her photography as a critical bridge for ideas, aiming to spark conversations about the power dynamic between the person behind the lens and the subject in front of it. More information on her extensive documentary history can be found on the official Susan Meiselas website.
Exploring Intimacy: melanie bonajo's Immersive Space
Also running from February 17 to June 4, 2023, is an immersive video installation by melanie bonajo. The project tackles the growing sense of isolation in a highly commercialized, digital world, suggesting physical touch and community connection as powerful antidotes.
In this work, bonajo gathers an international group of genderqueer and bicultural individuals to explore sensory awareness, boundaries, and physical comfort. The installation, which represented the Netherlands at the Venice Biennale in 2022, creates a playful, comfortable space designed in collaboration with Théo Demans. Through filmmaking and somatic coaching, bonajo offers methods to reclaim intimacy and combat sterile modern isolation. Visitors can learn more about the filmmaker's background and projects on melanie bonajo's artist page.
Planning Your Visit to FOMU in Antwerp's South Quarter
FOMU is located in a historic warehouse in the lively 't Zuid (South) district of Antwerp. This artistic neighborhood is also home to other major cultural destinations, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (M HKA) and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, making it the perfect hub for an art-filled day in the city.
The museum refreshes its exhibitions three times a year, ensuring there is always something new to experience. Beyond the main galleries, visitors can browse a curated selection of books in the museum shop or relax at the on-site café.
As you plan your cultural itinerary in Antwerp, Musemap (musemap.art) can help you navigate local art venues. You can browse more museums in the city or check our interactive Antwerp map to see what other galleries and cultural spots are located nearby.
