QUEER ART IN THE GDR?

Based on the varied biographies of nine artists and their works – including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photographs – the exhibition shows how differently artists dealt with the political and social conditions of their time. To what extent did their sexual orientation influence their artistic practice and professional development?

Despite gradual decriminalisation, homosexuality remained heavily stigmatised socially and politically in the GDR.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the situation for queer artists did not improve significantly – on the contrary, many artists from the GDR were in danger of being forgotten. Today, there is growing general interest in the art and culture of the GDR as well as in queer realities of life. However, the connection between these two perspectives – queer biographies and artistic forms of expression in the communist dictatorship – remains a largely unexplored field.

Although the term ‘queer’ did not yet exist in its current meaning in the GDR, it is used in the exhibition because it encompasses all those people who were between and outside the spectrum of “gay” and ‘lesbian’.

The project is an initiative of KVOST – Kunstverein Ost e.V. in cooperation with the Neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst, the Mitte Museum and the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge. The exhibitions are curated by Stephan Koal.

Supported by the Capital Cultural Fund and the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship An accompanying publication will be published by DISTANZ Verlag.

Other cooperation partners:
Feminist Archive FFBIZ, Leibniz Centre for Literary and Cultural Research, Magnus Hirschfeld Society, Museum Lichtenberg, Schwules Museum, Sonntagsclub, University of Leipzig – Maria Bühner, as well as private collections, contemporary witnesses and experts.

Exhibition dates

Title: QUEER ART IN THE GDR?
Biographies between underground and propaganda

Artists: Toni Ebel, Andreas Fux, Harry Hachmeister, Jochen Hass, Dorothea von Philipsborn, Erika Stürmer-Alex, Rita Thomas, Jürgen Wittdorf, Egon Wrobel

Exhibition period: 28 March – 28 June 2026

Exhibition venues: KVOST, nGbK, Mitte Museum, Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge

Opening hours:
Wed – Sat: 2 pm – 6 pm
Sun – Tue: closed