Even though I am part of the show this time around, I took a first look at the work of my fellow exhibitors and was amazed by the diversity of what is on offer. As always, I won’t pretend to like everything, but the wealth of photography on display is simply remarkable. People of all ages, coming from all over the world, have gathered here, under the kind and watchful leadership of Roy Kahmann, to create what is described as the biggest photography event in the Netherlands. And the location is a jewel in itself. The Kromhouthal, with its generous dimensions and raw industrial character, provides a magnificent home for Hungry Eye Fair 2026. I wandered around, taking in the work, and stopped at some of my neighbours. It is Game Time again.
Nancy Poeran, already seen at several previous editions, continues to amaze me with her mastery of AI. Her shapes, presented under the generic title Individuation, are simply mesmerising.
In a completely different genre, Friso Kooijman, one of my Instagram buddies long before I ever met him in real life, works with a company responsibly dismantling old ships in a shipyard. He therefore has privileged access to what could almost be considered his own personal U.B.E.X. location. The result is a series of deeply contrasted photographs of ship details, and they immediately appealed to me. So much so that I wouldn’t mind swapping one of my own works for one of his.
Stephan Heppe came all the way from Dresden to present his work: beautifully composed portraits and nudes. A modest man in person, his art seems to transform him into some kind of magician. There is something quietly theatrical in the way he arranges his subjects, yet the images never feel overworked.
Karine Joly came all the way from Aix-en-Provence to show her delicate photographs printed on Japanese paper. They offer a deliciously vintage view of ordinary objects and artefacts, seeking for their soul. Her work particularly appealed to me because of its proximity to one of my upcoming bodies of work (more about that later).
Paulien Huizinga stunned me with an amazing composition combining an antique sculpture with two beautiful models. The result is both striking and unique. One of those photographs that makes you stop, look again, and wonder how on earth she managed to bring all those elements together.
