The Works That Will Stick With You Long After the Show Closes
Source: Paper City
[This is an excerpt of the original article.]
The internationally acclaimed FotoFest Biennial is back in Houston with its 2026 edition “Global Visions – FotoFest at 40,” marking four decades of groundbreaking work in photography and lens-based art.
The biennial honors cofounders Wendy Watriss and the late Fred Baldwin, whose belief in photography’s power to foster meaningful dialogue and bridge cultures shaped FotoFest into one of the world’s most respected platforms for photographic arts. This milestone celebrates not only the organization’s longevity, but also the enduring mission that has guided it for 40 years.
Curated by Watriss and executive director Steven Evans, with co-curators Annick Dekiouk and Madi Murphy, the exhibition revisits defining works and themes from the 20 biennials presented between 1986 and 2024. More than 450 artists from the United States and 58 countries are represented, underscoring FotoFest’s extraordinary global reach.
The photographs and mixed-media works on view span themes of geography, identity, war, ecology and social change — demonstrating the organization’s sustained commitment to artistic dialogue and cultural exchange. By reconstituting key exhibitions and citywide presentations from across its history, the 2026 Biennial offers both a retrospective and a renewed call to consider photography’s role in shaping public discourse.
Among the most anticipated FotoFest programs is the live auction and gala set for this Tuesday, March 17. The 15th FotoFest Biennial Fine Print Auction will feature more than 50 carefully curated works selected by Evans, showcasing internationally acclaimed artists who continue to push the boundaries of photography.
Returning to lead the evening is charismatic auctioneer Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, formerly of Sotheby’s and Bonhams, promising spirited bidding and a celebratory atmosphere. Many participating artists have longstanding ties to FotoFest, while others are being introduced to its audience for the first time. Select auction works will also be included in the “Global Visions” exhibition.
Evans describes the 2026 auction as a symbol of the relationships cultivated over decades.
“The works reflect (the cofounders’) legacy; generous contributions from artists, collectors and galleries whose practices have converged with FotoFest across time and geography,” Evans says. “Together, they form not only a compelling offering for collectors, but a living tribute to the relationships, trust, and shared belief in the power of photography that Wendy and Fred cultivated from the very beginning.”
As FotoFest’s principal fundraiser, the auction plays a vital role in sustaining the organization’s mission. Proceeds directly support exhibitions, professional development initiatives, and the Literacy Through Photography learning program, which serves thousands of Houston-area students each school year.
At 40 years old now, FotoFest stands as both a reflection of photography’s evolving global language and a testament to Houston’s place in that conversation — continuing to foster connection, exchange and creative discovery across borders.
As an art advisor, I research and place artwork while also educating art seeking clients. Here are my Top Picks from the 2026 FotoFest Auction:
...
