Houston might be known for its outsized personality, but every two years, during FotoFest, the city becomes a swirling epicenter of photographic art from around the globe. This year, to mark 40 years of pushing the boundaries of photography, FotoFest’s 2026 biennial, Global Visions, is bringing together a dizzying array of artists from over 58 countries. But what does it take to wrangle over 450 artists and hundreds of works into a two-month citywide celebration?
Enter Chris Wicker, the unflappable exhibitions manager at FotoFest, and, as it turns out, an obsessive media-sampler, self-diagnosed denim junkie, and master of absurdist art. In this episode, Chris unpacks the coordination behind “Houston’s global photo party” and how his own art practice peels back the layers of Southern culture, NASCAR rituals, and the unstoppable flood of American consumerism.
Chris Wicker’s work is also featured in our January exhibition, Lone Star: New Takes on the 28th State.
Episode Highlights With Chris Wicker
- Behind the Scenes at Houston’s FotoFest: Chris Wicker lifts the curtain on his role as exhibitions manager, handling 450+ artists from 58 countries, wrangling art shipping, framing, install logistics, and more.
- Global Impact After 40 Years: The FotoFest Biennial is celebrating 40 years, encompassing Houston and drawing in everything from major galleries to hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
- Art and Absurdity: Chris unpacks his practice of remixing pop media—NASCAR broadcasts, pro wrestling, infomercials—to expose the “harmful normalities” of white Southern culture.
- On Being a Fan and a Critic: You can love NASCAR or pro wrestling and still skewer their dark sides.
- New Directions: From digital collage and video to denim-and-camouflage textiles: Why Chris is hand-sewing a battalion of denim hot dogs (and why he’s okay not knowing exactly where it’s heading).
- The Artist’s Life: Growing up Southern, fighting for art’s legitimacy, and why the only way forward is to “make weird shit.”
- AI & The Human Touch: Will handmade art become more valuable in the age of AI? Chris and Scott debate imperfection, craft, and the strange, shiny future.
Quotables
- “Make weird shit. Just do it. You’ll thank yourself later.” — Chris Wicker
- “Art is both a mirror and a window. Sometimes you have to laugh, otherwise you’d cry.” — Scott 'Sourdough' Power
- “There are times where you need to point things out and say, No, this is really messed up, or this isn’t quite right.” — Chris Wicker
Mentions & Shoutouts
- FotoFest Biennial 2026: Global Visions: March 7 – May 10, Houston, TX, 40th anniversary, hundreds of artists, city-wide. Co-curators: Wendy Watrous, Stephen Evans, Aniek De Kock, Maddie Murphy
- Throughline Collective, Houston (artist group)
- Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council
- Stephen F. Austin State University & Texas Christian University (where Chris studied)
- Special nod to NASCAR, pro wrestling, Power Rangers, Blind Alley (Fort Worth), and Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (Lubbock).
View Lone Star: New Takes on the 28th State
Our January 2026 First Friday Exhibition includes work by Chris Wicker.
Where to Follow Chris Wicker
- Instagram: @chris.m.wicker
- Website: https://chriswicker.com/
Episode Credits
- Host: Scott 'Sourdough' Power
- Guest: Chris Wicker
- Production: Crewest Studio, Los Angeles
- Theme Music: Ricky Pajot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor Social
- Subscribe to NOT REAL ART for more creativity, culture, and chaos. Leave us a review, share the show, and remember: Make it weird, y’all!
Photo Galley
