Bio

Elena Kaufmann

Born in 1985 at the Arctic Circle, grew up in St. Petersburg, emigrated and became German in 2018. Elena Kaufmann is the author of two photo books that show very sensetive works about dealing with people without prejudice.

Working on photography series often takes two to three years, during which Elena Kaufmann seeks out and builds trusting relationships with the protagonists. For DER WEISSE FADEN series, for example, 20 women of different religions were found throughout Germany. In the current project YOUNG Elena Kaufmann is working with the youth of today.

Recognized for her expressive portraits and sensitive, attentive, artfully drawn documentary series. Her photographs have an emotionally charged connection to the subject, but they are the opposite of radical, clear and everyday.

Elena Kaufmann now works as both a photographer and a filmmaker and moves between portrait and documentary. Since 2015 she has been exhibiting her projects throughout Germany.

Based on her first university education in the field of psychology, Elena Kaufmann shows great interest in working with women and thus psychologically supports their belief in the beauty of their own bodies: „I look for what is hidden in people. This means a lot to me because I can show how beautiful we are when we don't bury ourselves behind the thicket of "having to appear external". I love the state of flow during my shoots. The freedom from self-criticism, from thinking and trying to do everything right. It's basically difficult. It's even harder in front of the camera. But this way we find the opportunity to get to know ourselves

PERSONAL EXHIBITION

2024 "A year with the star", Bauhaus Uni Weimar

2023 "The White Thread", Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Koblenz

2021 "The White Thread", Railwaystation forecourt, Erfurt

2019 “24-ONE: Fire Station. Waiting.”, Angermuseum Erfurt

2018 "A year with the star", Kunsthalle Erfurt

2016 "My neighbor is too loud", Atelierhaus Vogelsgarten, Erfurt

2016 "My neighbor is too loud", Nerly, Erfurt

2011 "Culture Palace", Atelierhaus Vogelsgarten, Erfurt

GROUP EXHIBITION

2024 "NEXT GENERATION #1", Kunsthalle Erfurt

2024 "New Analog Art Photography" , Pittlerwerke Leipzig

2019 "WASTING TiME", Atelierhaus Vogelsgarten Erfurt

2018 "Quo Vadis", Schauspielhaus Erfurt

2016 "YEA", Kunsthaus Erfurt

2015 "Diary of missed opportunities", FÖN, Erfurt

2009 "Fifty", Cultural Center of Art and Music, Saint Petersburg

SCHOLARSHIPS

2021 Project funding from the Ministry of Justice, Migration and Constitution and the State Capital of Thuringia's Department of Culture

2019 Project funding from the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Nature Conservation and the State Capital of Thuringia's Department of Culture

2018 project funding from the state capital of Thuringia's cultural department

2018 Project funding from the ACHAVA Festival in Thuringia, the Jewish State of Thuringia and the State Capital of Thuringia's cultural department