Helga Paris
Image credit: Helga Paris Treff-Modelle Series 1, Selfportrait 1 © Nachlass / Estate Helga Paris
Through honest, raw and intimate photography, Helga Paris captured the stories of individuals living within the collective system of the GDR.
Paris photographed houses and street views but also factory workers, garbage collectors, children and ordinary citizens. Invisible to many, her subjects gain dignity through her lens, becoming worthy of art. She portrays her subjects with deep respect, integrity, and empathy. By focusing on individual stories, she invites us, as viewers, to connect more intimately with her subjects.
Her photography offers a gentle reminder that history is not only shaped by politicians and those in power. It unfolds in everyday life – on the streets, in factories, and in bars. It is written by individuals, each carrying their own struggles, hopes, and fears.