Ellen von Unwerth – Shocking Pop at the FLATZ Museum: Pose, Play, and Zeitgeist

Ellen von Unwerth

Ellen von Unwerth, born in Germany in 1954, is one of the most influential photographers of our time. She worked as a model in front of the camera for ten years before picking up the camera herself and becoming self-taught. She developed a distinctive visual language that combines glamour, irony, and female independence. Her style is characterized by her play with role models, with her work showing women as confident, playful, and self-assured protagonists. With iconic covers for pop stars such as Rihanna, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears, she has shaped the visual memory of her time. Her works can be found worldwide in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Artist Ellen von Unwerth sits relaxed on a black director's chair in a studio with lighting and equipment.

The exhibition "Ellen von Unwerth – Shocking Pop" was developed in close collaboration with the artist herself and her studio. Curators Anne-Marei Heinrich and Marc Hämmerle selected the works for the exhibition at the FLATZ Museum in Dornbirn. Visitors can expect a specially curated selection of her works from all creative periods. The exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: the provocative selection "HEiMAT," the rebellious "Pop Shock Selection" with humorous snapshots, and the "Evergreens," a best-of selection of her central works.

View of the “Shocking Pop” gallery with several large-format, colorful pop art images on white walls and dark flooring.

© Angela Lamprecht

The photographs in "Shocking Pop" move between fashion and art, between pose and commentary, and are always characterized by a keen sense of irony and the spirit of the times. The exhibition illustrates how von Unwerth plays with role models and visual clichés. She herself describes her artistic work as "a constant game with roles, perspectives, and expectations."

Gallery wall with several framed photographs, including black-and-white and color images, illuminated by ceiling spotlights.

© Angela Lamprecht

Ellen von Unwerth is one of the most influential photographers of our time. Her work has shaped the visual memory of her era. She reached the first milestone of her career with a photo series for Elle fashion magazine, for which she created an advertising campaign for the jeans brand Guess. With her distinctive visual language, she redefined the relationship between fashion, desire, and self-presentation, subsequently receiving commissions from Dior, Chanel, L'Oréal, Aston Martin, and many other brands.

Interior view of the “Shocking Pop” gallery with several white columns and colorful pop art paintings hanging on the walls.

© Angela Lamprecht

The exhibition will take place at the FLATZ Museum in Dornbirn from November 6, 2025, to February 7, 2026. WhiteWall produced the entire exhibition.

Here you will find further information if you would also like to have an exhibition produced or have your photo printed on acrylic or your image printed on aluminum Dibond in gallery quality.

Two people pose in front of a large black-and-white photo, while a third person takes their picture.
Three women in swimsuits are sitting on a yellow inflatable banana boat in the water, with mountains and a lake in the background.
A man looks at two photographs on a white wall in a gallery, both showing different images of women.
Man wearing an orange sweater and beige pants looks at artwork in a gallery with three colored pictures on the wall.
Several people are looking at artworks in a gallery with white walls and modern lighting.
Gallery space with several black-and-white photographs on the walls and several people viewing the art.

The fascination live: Impressions from the opening

Get an immediate impression of the “Shocking Pop” exhibition at the FLATZ Museum here. The pictures document the lively atmosphere of the grand opening and show the enthusiastic audience surrounded by the artworks. See how Ellen von Unwerth's works are showcased in the gallery and experience the fascination of this art event in Dornbirn.

Images by © Angela Lamprecht

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