BERLIN.- Today, the Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin throws open its doors to a powerful new exhibition, Time of Upheaval: Johanna-Maria Fritz. Photographs 2014 – 2024. As the city buzzes with the European Month of Photography (EMOP), this solo show introduces visitors to the remarkable work of Johanna-Maria Fritz, a 30-year-old Berlin photographer whose empathetic eye has captured stories from the edges of society for the past decade.
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The exhibition, which runs through May 25, kicked off with an opening last night, February 27, at 6 p.m. Inside the airy galleries at Stresemannstr. 28, over 100 photographs line the walls—images that take you from war-torn regions to quiet corners of resilience. Fritz, who moved to Berlin in 2011 and joined the independent photo agency Ostkreuz in 2019, doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. She’s spent years in conflict zones, crumbling states, and among persecuted minorities, chasing not just the chaos but the human stories woven into it.
Born in Baden-Baden in 1994, Fritz graduated from the Ostkreuz School of Photography in 2016 and hasn’t slowed down since. Her trophy shelf boasts the Inge Morath Award (2017), the German Peace Prize for Photography (2019), and a World Press Photo Award (2024). But accolades aside, it’s her raw connection to her subjects that shines through. “Her photographs bring us close to people and their stories with an empathetic gaze,” says Mirja Linnekugel, Artistic Director of Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus. “We’re thrilled to dedicate an entire exhibition to her work after showcasing pieces of it over the years.”
Fritz’s lens often lingers on women, children, and teenagers—those caught in the crosshairs of crisis yet finding ways to endure. Take her series Like a Bird (2014–2019), which follows circus performers in the Islamic world, or An Afghan Carpet (2022), a heartbreaking look at women and girls under Taliban rule. Then there’s A Grave in the Garden (2022–2024), documenting Russia’s war in Ukraine with a quiet intensity. She doesn’t just snap and leave; Fritz returns to these places, tracing how lives shift over time.
The exhibition also unveils lesser-known gems. Daughters of Magic (2019–2020) peers into the world of modern witches in Romania—one haunting shot from Mogoșoaia stands out—while Keep Her Pure (2021–2024), debuting here, tackles the complex theme of virginity. Curated by Barbara Stauss, a photo editor and longtime friend of Fritz, the show feels personal, like a conversation spanning a decade of change.
Walking through, you’ll see why her work resonates. It’s not just about conflict; it’s about the contradictions—the everyday moments that unfold amid upheaval. “I want to show the stories that don’t always make the headlines,” Fritz has said, and her photos do just that.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., and admission is free. If you’re in Berlin, swing by—Time of Upheaval isn’t just an exhibition; it’s a window into a world too often overlooked. For more info, check out www.fkwbh.de or call +49 (0)30-25993787.
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