The exceptional photographic practice of the artists in this display is linked by a studied objectivity and conceptual rigor which runs alongside an in-depth knowledge and active questioning of the photographic medium. The large scale photographic works in their varied styles and subjects are all underlined by subtle humor and social comment.
This selection has been produced by graduates from Germany’s Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst, Leipzig (HBG) or Academy of Visual Arts, Leipzig. This university belongs to the oldest academies of arts in Germany which was founded in 1764. Leipzig, in former east Germany, is a city which is seemingly on the cusp of development yet outside of the economic and industrial centre of the country. It’s universities and a thriving gallery and art scene encouraged by the cheap industrial spaces make the city a place of opportunities as well as challenges. Today, 450 students are enrolled in courses ranging from Book design to Graphic’s, Painting, Photography and Media Art. The professors and lecturers teaching at the HGB have an international reputation and present in this display is a former photography professor of the HBK, Timm Rautert (1993 – 2007).