Thomas Albdorf (1982, Austria) combines classic photographic genres with modern visual techniques.

His landscapes and still-lifes are boldly aesthetical, but his use of the photographic medium is highly conceptual. Using both analogue and digital techniques, Albdorf edits photographs of perennial visual clichés found online (such as a setting sun, a mountainous landscape) after which he subjects these found photos to image recognition software and automatic image generation. The resulting image is recognisable and surrealistic at the same time. It is Albdorf’s way of critically interrogating stereotypes in our digital online visual culture.

Foam presents the first solo museum exhibition of Thomas Albdorf’s work. The artist also created new work especially for this exhibition, which will be displayed for the very first time in Foam.



Thomas Albdorf is one of the first three recipients of the fellowship recommended. This fellowship enables young image makers to produce and internationally exhibit new work. The Fellows of 2018 are Thomas Albdorf (1982, Austria), Nadja Bournonville (1983, Sweden) and Lilly Lulay (1985, Germany).

recommended is a fellowship initiated by Olympus, Haus der Photographie / Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam and Fotografie Forum Frankfurt.

Foam is supported by the BankGiro Loterij, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Gemeente Amsterdam, Olympus and the VandenEnde Foundation.