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.

Episode Credits

Host: Scott 'Sourdough' Power

Guest: Chris Wicker

Production: Crewest Studio, Los Angeles

Theme Music: Ricky Pajot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor Social

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