ARCHIVO WEBINAR SERIES 2026

PHOTOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY, AND

THE REWILDING OF THE IMAGINATION

LOUISE FEDOTOV-CLEMENTS

In this talk, curator and researcher Louise Fedotov-Clements explores how contemporary photographic and lens-based practices are evolving in response to the climate crisis and accelerating environmental change. Drawing on her work across international festivals, interdisciplinary projects, and collaborations with artists, scientists, and communities, Fedotov-Clements will share how photography is part of a critical ecological practice. She will discuss artists who are reimagining their relationships with land, non-human species, intersectional histories, challenging extractive ways of seeing and proposing new modes of care, reciprocity, and environmental impact. From long-term collaborative engagements with vulnerable ecosystems to experimental visual methodologies that reveal the often-invisible forces shaping our world, her talk considers how creative practices can foster deeper ecological awareness and collective action. Ultimately, Fedotov-Clements invites audiences to rethink photography as a powerful strategy for sensing, unsettling, and reshaping our understanding of the past and current climate emergency, alongside one that not only witnesses crisis but also affects  sustainable, collaborative and equitable futures.

Louise Fedotov-Clements, Director of Photoworks since 2023, where she leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation. Established in 1995, Photoworks is an international platform focussed on the development of photography through a programme of exhibitions, residencies, publications, engagement and the biennale Photoworks Festival. Photoworks also directs the prestigious Ampersand Photography Fellowship and the Jerwood Photography Awards.

She is the CoFounder/former Director FORMAT Festival and previous Artistic Director QUAD, a centre for contemporary art and film. Previously National Curator of Contemporary Art, Forestry England, and currently Jury Chair/Curator of Earth Photo with the Royal Geographical Society, Forestry England and Parker Harris; Also co-founder of Summit Photo with the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Photographic Society. 

As a creative director since 1998 Louise has led commissions, festivals, publications, mass participation, film/photography programmes/exhibitions around the world. Guest Curator for international exhibitions/festivals including Dong Gang South Korea; Photoquai Biennale Musée du quai Branly Paris; Les Rencontres Arles, Discoveries; Dali Photo, China; Venice Biennale EM15; Photo Beijing, and Lishui Photo China; Korea International Photo Festival. Louise has written about photography for Photo Researcher, Next Level, South Korean Photography, 1000words, co-editor of Hijacked III UK/AUS, PHOTOCINEMA.

She is an international photography curator, juror, advisor and nominator, a regular portfolio reviewer at festivals and galleries worldwide. She is also a board member for Archivo and Pagrav Dance Company; Advisory Board member of Sensing the Forest, Queen Mary University of London; UKRI/AHRC research programme Let the Forest Speak, using the internet of things and creative ai; Patron of FORMAT International Photography Festival, Trustee of Pagrav and Vice Chair of Inspirate.

www.photoworks.org.uk