Ellen Von Unwerth

Devotion! 30 Years of Photographing Women

A photograph of two laughing women sharing a bath

Renowned German photographer Ellen von Unwerth presents Devotion! 30 Years of Photographing Women, a survey exhibition shown at Fotografiska Stockholm, now significantly expanded for New York. Devotion! explores von Unwerth’s provocative yet playful photography through seven expressions: Play, Gender, Drama, Love, Power, Passion, and Lust. Each image, characteristic of von Unwerth’s style, reflects lively, energetic, sensual style with a slight humorous touch. For the artist, it’s never about objectifying, rather, playing with archetypes and stereotypes, high and low, stirring emotions and creating commotion.

A black and white photograph of a woman's high-heeled toe stepping on a man's hand on the floor

A photograph of three nude women laughing and holding burlap sacks up to their waists

A photograph of a woman in a yellow-and-black plaid jacket holding a camera against a yellow floral background

Devotion! 30 Years of Photographing Women explores Ellen von Unwerth’s provocative, yet playful photography through seven expressions: Play, Gender, Drama, Love, Power, Passion, and Lust.

“Looking back at a photographic career spanning over 30 years provokes many thoughts. I have done so much. The photographs become like a diary of meetings, people and contexts that suddenly spring to life again. I always say, “let life come to you instead of trying to control everything.” I want energy and movement in my images, because that’s how life is. Exhibiting this retrospective at Fotografiska makes me incredibly proud.”

–Ellen von Unwerth

Fotographers (in) Focus

Ellen von Unwerth shares how she is staying creative during isolation. Immersed in nature and drawing inspiration from it, von Unwerth offers an uplifting perspective on her life and work, as she reflects on her current exhibition at Fotografiska New York, Devotion! 30 Years of Photographing Women.