30/05/2024
Foam expresses deep sorrow over the loss of the distinguished Dutch photographer Bertien van Manen (1935-2024). We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and admirers worldwide. As we bid farewell to a remarkable visual storyteller, we are reminded of her extraordinary body of work. Van Manen was a trailblazer in Dutch photography, revolutionizing the documentary genre with her intimate, humanistic approach.
In 2012, Foam presented Van Manen's solo exhibition ‘Let's Sit Down Before We Go’, showcasing intimate and personal photographs taken during extensive travels through former Soviet republics. The exhibition's title refers to a Russian tradition of taking a moment before a journey to reflect on one's origins, destination, and purpose - a fitting metaphor for Van Manen's authentic and reflective approach to photography. Just as this tradition encourages reflection before a journey, we honour her memory and the indelible mark she has left on the world of photography.
Vlada in the kitchen Kazan, 1992 © Bertien van Manen.