Manifesta purposely strives to keep its distance from what are often seen as the dominant centres of artistic production, instead seeking fresh and fertile terrain for the mapping of a new cultural topography.
Muhlis Kenter, TR
Näherin in der Berufsbekleidungsfabrik (Seamstress at the workwear factory), 1979. Pigment print on Hahnemühle paper, exhibition copy 20 × 30 cm.
Muhlis Kenter’s photographs are striking for their authenticity and their close connection to reality. They draw attention to socio-political issues and place people at the centre of the frame. Taken using available light, his photographs heighten the atmospheric intensity and lend an unvarnished, documentary quality to the images. Clear lines and deliberate composition condense the scenes, drawing the viewer directly into the situation depicted. Kenter’s work does not merely show; it confronts and challenges the viewer’s gaze whilst simultaneously opening up spaces for empathy. Influenced by observations of everyday life and socio-political themes, Kenter sees his work as a critical engagement with society, in which personal stories and social realities enter into dialogue.