Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Amsterdam

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Amsterdam
’Explode’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2005, in collaboration with Eugene van Lamsweerde.
(Image credit: press)
By Malaika Byng
last updated

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin don't like to play it safe. The Dutch duo were among the first photographers to exploit digital manipulation while Photoshop was in its infancy in the 1990s, distorting body parts and manipulating backgrounds, and their vast oeuvre swings between horror and beauty, the subtle and the grotesque. This makes the 300 images in their latest show at Foam Fotografiemuseum a thrilling mix.

Titled 'Pretty much Everything', the exhibition spans the length of their partnership, which began in the mid-80s. Their careers first spiralled when they took over ten pages in the now closed magazine, The Face, in 1994. For the first time in a fashion series, the models and the backgrounds were photographed separately and combined in a single image via a computer. This toying with reality typifies their work, which has always subverted, as well as celebrated, fashion.

On show are some of their iconic personal images, like 'Me Kissing Vinoodh (passionately)', a huge stream of campaigns for the likes of Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Balmain and Chloé, and their collaborations with artists such as M/M Paris, sculptor Eugene van Lamsweerde and theatre group Mug Met De Gouden Tand.

’Bjork - Poisson Nageur’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2000

 ’Bjork - Poisson Nageur’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2000

(Image credit: press)

’Anastasia’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1994

 ’Anastasia’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1994

(Image credit: press)

’Delfine’ Balenciaga campaign by Inez van.

’Delfine’ Balenciaga campaign by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, in collaboration with M/M Paris, 2001 

(Image credit: press)

’Joanna’ Herve Leger campaign by Inez van

’Joanna’ Herve Leger campaign by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1995 

(Image credit: press)

A model posing for a shoot.

’Untitled (Head 1)’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2008

(Image credit: press)

’Kate’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1999

 ’Kate’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1999

(Image credit: press)

’Kirsten’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1996

 ’Kirsten’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1996

(Image credit: press)

A photo of model girl.

’Roos and Ann Catherine’ Balenciaga campaign by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1999

(Image credit: press)

’Me #3’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1998

 ’Me #3’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1998

(Image credit: press)

Two models are sitting in bicycle

 ’Well, Basically...’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1994, for The Face

(Image credit: press)

’Chloe Campiagn’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

 ’Chloe Campiagn’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2004

(Image credit: press)

’Clint Eastwood’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin,

’Clint Eastwood’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2005, for the New York Times Magazine

(Image credit: press)

A picture for the New York Times Magazine

’Gwyneth Paltrow’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2004, for the New York Times Magazine

(Image credit: press)

Kate Drowning’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

 ’Kate Drowning’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2006

(Image credit: press)

’Joan’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

’Joan’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2005, with Theatre Group Mug Met De Gouden Tand

(Image credit: press)

Maggie Rizer in Yohji Yamamoto campaign by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

Maggie Rizer in Yohji Yamamoto campaign by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1997

(Image credit: press)

Mickey Rourke by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

(Image credit: press)

New York Times Magazine cover photo

Natalie Portman by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 2005, for the New York Times Magazine

(Image credit: press)

’Me Kissing Vinoodh (Passionately)’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1999

 ’Me Kissing Vinoodh (Passionately)’ by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, 1999

(Image credit: press)

ADDRESS

Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
Keizersgracht 609
1017 DS Amsterdam

VIEW GOOGLE MAPS

Malaika Byng

Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others. 

Latest