Exhibitions
Unprecedented: Women Photographers from the GDR
About the Exhibition
In 1949, Germany was divided into two countries: the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Women who built careers as photographers in the GDR and produced outstanding bodies of work offer perspectives that have often been overlooked in efforts to reassess the history of German photography. From the late 1970s onward—when photography was recognized as an autonomous art form in both Germanys—women photographers increasingly worked across a range of contexts, including state commissions, magazines, and independent projects, and circulated their work widely. This exhibition brings together documentary, street, fashion, portrait, and conceptual photography, reflecting a dual focus on depicting the GDR in all its complexity and exploring the possibilities of the medium. Featuring the work of 15 women photographers—drawn largely from the Sven Herrmann Collection, renowned for its vintage prints, and presented by Stiftung Reinbeckhallen—it highlights artists who were significant in their time and remain influential today. Through their work, viewers encounter nuanced perspectives and assured techniques brought to bear on society and everyday life in a country that no longer exists, and are invited to consider their role in diversifying the GDR’s visual culture.
With works by
Tina Bara (1962–) / Christine Becker (1956–) / Sibylle Bergemann (1941–2010) / Christiane Eisler (1958–) / Margit Emmrich (1949–) / Eva Mahn (1947–) / Ute Mahler (1949–) / Elisabeth Meinke (1937–2006) / Helga Paris (1938–2024) / Evelyn Richter (1930–2021) / Gundula Schulze Eldowy (1954–) / Maria Sewcz (1960–) / Gabriele Stötzer (1953–) / Brigitte Voigt (1934–2025) / Renate Zeun (1946–)
Information
- Venue
The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama / Galleries 1, 2, 3a, 4
- Period
June 13–August 30, 2026
- Closed
Mondays (except July 20)
- Opening hours
9:30–17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
- Admissions
Adults: 1,200 yen (1,100 yen)
Under 20 or Students: 1,050 yen (950 yen)
65 and over: 600 yen
High School Students: 100 yen
Junior High School Students and under: Free
* Prices in ( ) indicate group (20 or more persons) discount tickets.
* A person with disabilities and one accompanying caretaker are admitted free of charge upon presenting Disabled Person’s Handbook or an equivalent government-issued identification.
* “Family Communication Day” offers a discount for all group (except those aged 65 and over) accompanying children under 18 on the first Sunday of every month.
* For more information, see Hours & Admission.
- Organized by
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama
- Cooperated with
Stiftung Reinbeckhallen
Loock Galerie, Berlin
Goethe-Institut Tokyo
- Grant from
ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e.V.
- Also on view at Gallery 3b
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura and Art of the Showa Era
From the Museum Collection
Works
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Christiane Eisler
Heike, 1982
© Christiane Eisler. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Margit Emmrich
Untitled, Prague
1969
© Margit Emmrich. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Sibylle Bergemann
Anette and Angela, Lustgarten, Berlin
1982
© Estate Sibylle Bergemann. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Sibylle Bergemann
The Monument, Berlin, February 1986
1986
© Estate Sibylle Bergemann. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Brigitte Voigt
Siblings, 1964
© Estate Brigitte Voigt. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Eva Mahn
Silhouettes II, 1983
© Eva Mahn. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Ute Mahler
Fashion photography: Julia in the water, Lehnitz
1979/2025
© Ute Mahler. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Tina Bara
Self-portraits 59–76 [63–64]
1985/2025
© Tina Bara. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Margit Emmrich
Frieda D. (74), retiree, widow of a master baker
1975–76/2025
© Margit Emmrich. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Elisabeth Meinke
Untitled, 1980
© Estate Elisabeth Meinke. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Gabriele Stötzer
The Poetess—Poetry
1984/2025
© Gabriele Stötzer. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Christine Becker
Sequence Elbe IV, 1983
© Christine Becker. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Evelyn Richter
Russia, Year unknown
© Erbengemeinschaft Evelyn Richter. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin -
Maria Sewcz
Untitled from the series inter esse
1985–87/2026
© Courtesy Maria Sewcz -
Renate Zeun
Friedrichstadtpalast, 1980s
© Renate Zeun. Courtesy Loock Galerie, Berlin
About Tina Bara’s Boredom (Gallery 4)
The video work (2016, HD-video, sound / 62 min./ English and Japanese subtitle) will be shown on a loop starting at 9:45 a.m. (starting time is changed from 19 June)
Please be aware that the video work is featuring nude subjects as an artist’s expression.
Prior to entering the room, we ask for the understanding of those who may feel uncomfortable with such contents, or those accompanying children.
Additionally, visitors of junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by adults to access.
We deeply appreciate your understanding.
Related Events
Cross Artists' Talk: East and Far East: Distance and Time in Photography
To coincide with the exhibition Unprecedented: Women Photographers from the GDR, three participating artists visiting Japan, along with Ishiuchi Miyako—one of Japan’s leading photographers—will each offer insights into their work and discuss the practical realities of photographic expression in Germany and Japan, both past and present, as well as issues of memory and place, in relation to their respective works. A Q&A session is scheduled following the talk.
Place: Goethe-Institut Tokyo, Hall (7-5-56 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 13:00–16:00 (Doors open at 12:45)
* German and Japanese with simultaneous interpretation
* Free entry, advance registration required. Go to Application form
Guest Talk by Kasahara Michiko
Kasahara Michiko, a pioneer in the study of contemporary photography and gender, will deliver a talk on this exhibition.
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 14:00–16:00 (Doors open at 13:30)
Lecturer: Kasahara Michiko (Director, Nagano Prefectural Art Museum)
Venue: Hayama, Auditorium
Capacity: 60
Fee: Free
* The talk is given in Japanese.
Cross Artists' Talk: Tina Bara and Maria Sewcz
Two participating artists to the exhibition will each offer insights into their work and discuss the practical realities of photographic expression in Germany, both past and present. A Q&A session is scheduled following the talk.
Date: Monday/Holiday, July 20, 2026
Time: 14:00–16:00 (Doors open at 13:30)
Panelists: Tina Bara, Maria Sewcz
Venue: Hayama, Auditorium
Capacity: 60
Fee: Free
Film screening “Die Unbeugsamen 2 – Guten Morgen, Ihr Schönen!”
This documentary film focuses on 12 women who lived in the former East Germany. The exhibition’s featured artist Gabriele Stötzer appears in interviews, and photographs by other featured artists from the exhibition are included in the film.
Die Unbeugsamen 2 – Guten Morgen, Ihr Schönen!
Director: Torsten Körner
Released: 2024
Run Time: 1h 44m
Region of Origin: Germany
Date: Saturdays, July 25 and August 22, 2026
Time: 14:00 (Door open at 13:30)
Venue: Hayama, Auditorium
With the cooperation of: Goethe-Institut Tokyo
* German with Japanese subtitle
Related Information
-
Reciprocal Discounts with Exhibition I’m So Happy You Are Here
During the exhibition period, two museums will collaborate to offer reciprocal discounts.
Venue Hikarie Hall（Shibuya Hikarie） Period Saturday, July 4–Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Organized by Bunkamura For details, see News page.
For details of the exhibition, please check the website of Bunkamura (external site).
Also on view
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura and Art of the Showa Era From the Museum collection
More info