Thomas Hoepker Photographed Everyday Life in the GDR - Uncensored - Unseen East Germany: A Photographer’s Bold, Unfiltered Vision in Vivid Color
A new photo book by Thomas Hoepker presents a rare, uncensored glimpse into life in East Germany. Titled 'DDR / East Germany Color Works 1972–1990', it showcases 145 color images, many never seen before. The collection includes an essay by exiled singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann, a prominent critic of the GDR regime.
Hoepker became the first West German photographer officially allowed to work in the GDR in 1974. He relocated to East Berlin and traveled widely, documenting daily life and historic events. His work for 'Stern' magazine, alongside journalist Eva Windmöller—his then-wife—captured both ordinary citizens and well-known figures.
Unlike much of the imagery from the era, Hoepker’s photographs avoided state censorship. They reveal a country beyond propaganda, showing real moments of struggle, routine, and change. The book spans nearly two decades, ending just before German reunification. An exhibition of these photographs is currently running at Galerie Buchkunst in Berlin. Visitors can view the images in person until February 28, 2026.
The book and exhibition provide a visual record of East Germany that few outsiders saw at the time. Biermann’s essay adds context, given his own expulsion from the GDR in 1976. Together, they preserve a piece of history that might otherwise have remained hidden.
