A Wider Gaze - FOTODOK x Atelier Néerlandais: Free exhibition of contemporary artists

At the invitation of the Embassy of the Netherlands in France, FOTODOK will present the group exhibition A Wider Gaze at the Atelier Néerlandais during Paris Photo week. Through their work, the artists explore the question: What does it mean to be European today? Admission to the exhibition is free.

What if an exhibition invited you to see Europe differently?

On the occasion of Paris Photo, l’Atelier Néerlandais, ideally located in the center of Paris (the 1st arrondissement), is hosting A Wider Gaze, a free exhibition running from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 15, 2026.

This exhibition brings together ten artists and photographers from diverse backgrounds, who explore Europe from its margins and through its intertwined histories. Using photography, installation, video, textiles and archival material, they examine themes such as the ties that bind us, colonial legacies, work and identity. Their stories do not offer a single vision of Europe: they overlap, sometimes contradict one another, and remain open to interpretation.

According to a frequently cited etymology, the name “Europe” comes from the Ancient Greek eurys-ops (“broad gaze,” or wide gaze). Do we still live up to the name today? Can we keep this broad perspective and, despite the conflicts, see what we share as Europeans?

Ten perspectives on Europe

Emilia Martin and Sanne van den Elzen examine how women’s work, rituals and everyday gestures are passed down from generation to generation. Julia Gat and Thana Faroq show how distance, memory and the desire to return home continually redefine identity. Maite Vanhellemont and Rafael Roncato explore the shadow cast by colonialism and what remains of it or has been left unsaid. Giya Makondo-Wills and Pablo Lerma explore how Europe determines who belongs and who must constantly prove they do. Mark Rammers observes how residents feel attached to a place everyone says is bad for their health. Finally, Sheng-Wen Lo follows the trail of a simple feather to reveal how the origins of everyday consumer goods are hidden from view.

This group of artists brings overlooked perspectives and little-known aspects of history to light. A Wider Gaze invites visitors to draw their own connections between the works and take a fresh look at our place in the world.

A Wider Gaze exhibition – November 6–15 at Atelier Néerlandais

Every day at 11:30 a.m.: Guided tour of the exhibition.
November 12, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Blind Date with a Photobook, an informal get-together centered on the photobook with Sugar Paper. Free admission; registration required: [Book here]
November 12, 4:30–6:30 p.m.: Official exhibition opening with the artists in attendance.
November 13, 2–3:30 p.m.: Presentation of Luuk van Raamsdonk’s book My Sweet Elora, followed by a discussion.
November 13, 4–5:30 p.m.: BOOKTALKS*, photobook talks with Lua Ribeira, Sophie Howell and other guests, at FUTURES (13 rue de Sévigné, 75004 Paris).
November 14, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Discussion of TRIGGER #7 Ocean, in collaboration with FOMU – Antwerp Museum of Photography.
November 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Street photography workshop led by Wesley Verhoeve and Shane Taylor.

This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to discover artistic perspectives from diverse backgrounds for free, question our view of Europe and extend your visit with a meeting, discussion or photography workshop in the heart of Paris.

A Wider Gaze - FOTODOK x Atelier Néerlandais

Photo credits:
Julia Gat, Self Portrait, from: Mare Internum (2023-ongoing)
Mark Rammers, from: Wijk
Emilia Martin, "I don't much like my daughter sewing" (2025)
Giya Makondo-Wills, from: a neighbourhood (2021-2024)
Thana Faroq, from: Imagine me like a country of love (2026)