Catalogue – SchönerHeit. Julia Krahn on Beauty

Exhibition catalogue of the itinerary exhibition SchönerHeit.

Julia Krahn began working on the portrait series SchönerHeit in 2013 as a commission from the Anna von Borries Foundation, and now it will be shown for the first time in a photography exhibition. The series focuses on twelve residents of an institution run by Diakovere. Annastift Leben und Lernen — people with almost exclusively physical disabilities.

The project SchönerHeit portrays the beauty of people with disabilities in a new light through an artistic lens and questions conventional ideals of beauty. In her work, Julia Krahn often deals with social values, societal change, and the subject of religion. For the first time, neither she herself nor people from her immediate family are featured in her work. In close cooperation with the residents, she created moving scenes that express their unique and loveable qualities in every picture.

The Song of Songs from the Bible, with its rich imagery and associations on the theme of love and beauty, serves as an inspiration and connecting thread for the series. Bishop Ralf Meister: “The artist portrayed the participants as in the love song of the Old Testament: How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves. How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant. (Song of Songs 1:15–16)”