Ellen von Unwerth
Devotion! 30 Years of Photographing Women
Three weeks ago, Fotografiska New York opened its doors to the public for the first time. Located throughout the six floors of 281 Park Avenue South, the historical building has been renovated to match the style of the eclectic who have opened it. While Fotografiska is originally based in Stockholm, the Swedish brothers Jan and Per Broman, have expanded their repertoire and cultural wingspan to greet New Yorkers and all those occupying the big apple.
In the spirit of cross-cultural arrivals, Fotografiska will be housing Ellen von Unwerth’s exhibition Devotion! 30 Year of Photographing Women until the spring. Born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1954, von Unwerth’s childhood was spent cycling through the foster care system as an orphan. It wasn’t until her twenties when she began her pursuit of a modeling career in Paris, after receiving a tip from a stranger. Eventually she found her true passion in fashion photography and in the 90s her career took off, leading her to destinations and campaigns all around the world.
In Devotion! von Unwerth paints a picture of seven sides of the female subject: play, gender, drama, love, power, passion, and lust. Rather than being objectified by the male gaze, von Unwerth creates both playful and powerful women within the lens of the female gaze. Objectification is not a concept in von Unwerth’s work – rather, her images are sensual and erotic in a way that is completely liberating and without compromise.
Capturing some of the most iconic women in fashion, entertainment, and music, von Unwerth triumphantly showcases women in all of their moods, with a touch of humor mixed in for good measure. Beginning her career with names such as Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Eva Herzigova, von Unwerth has since moved on to photograph mega-celebrities such as Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga. Her photography has become iconic, as it frames women in such a way that balances on a precarious line between sexuality and good humor – no easy feat to accomplish. Ellen von Unwerth captures feminine beauty in the most classically lusty manner, while never betraying the concept of strong, powerful women.
