Annelies Štrba
Sonja mit Samuel-Maria, 1995
Sonja mit Samuel-Maria, 1995, 1995
Collection Fotomuseum Winterthur, gift Volkart Stiftung
1998-034-001
b. 1947 (Zug, CH), lives and works in Richterswil, CH
With her family pictures, Annelies Strba has created a remarkable oeuvre. We are permitted an intimate view, observing developments and changes within the family, but we never have the feeling that we are disturbing family life. This is existential photography combining great love, poetic desire and the yearning for a good life. The same approach is also reflected in her more recent works. Whether she photographs in Tokyo, New York, London or Berlin, Strba seeks out an ethereal, floating quality that transports the emotions through the architectural setting and makes the cities the backdrop for a personal fairytale. Only her latest aerial views of Berlin add an unaccustomed touch of rancour to this combination of joy and melancholy (the knowledge and sadness that complete happiness is unattainable). With this in mind, her move into nature – landscape, park and garden – is hardly surprising. Strba has created the most wonderful images of flowers and gardens, positively trembling with colour and energy. She is represented at group and solo exhibitions throughout the world.