Manu Gruber is a German-Italian photographer, born in Bremen (DE) and currently based in Berlin. Her artistic practice often intertwines autobiographical experiences with fictional narratives, drawing inspiration from superstition, metaphysics, and mythology.
In 2021, she began her studies at the Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie in Berlin-Weißensee, graduating in 2024 as part of Göran Gnaudschun's class. Prior to this, she earned a master's degree in history of art, literature, and Romance studies, after which she worked for several years as an art historian at various cultural institutions, including the Museum Folkwang and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Characterized by a poetic visual language, her work particularly delves into the visualization of inner images, exploring themes such as origin, memory, and loss. Rather than offering a definitive interpretation, she seeks to create a subjective, associative experience that invites viewers to discover their own insights and emotional resonances. Alongside her personal projects, Manu Gruber also takes on commissioned assignments. For inquiries regarding a commercial portfolio, please feel free to get in touch. For a glimpse of what captures her visual interest daily, you can visit her
UPCOMING
(2025) PRIMAVERA, Ongoing photographic project in collaboration with
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
(2024) ACHTZEHN, Konnekt.Berlin
(2023) In anderem Licht, 8. Marta Hoepffner-Preis für Fotografie, Stadtmuseum Hofheim am Taunus
(2023) Drängende Gegenwart. Der Blick der jungen Generation, European Month of Photography, Berlin
(2023) Entlang der Oder, Stiftung Schloss Neuhardenberg
(2023) Über Beziehungen, Atelier Kombinage, Wien
(2022) Entlang der Oder, Pader-Kultour, Paderborn
(2022) Pflug, OFF GRID – Independent Foto Festival, Wien
(2022) Entlang der Oder, Müllrose
(2022) Entlang der Oder, Bad Saarow
RECOGNITIONS & GRANTS
(2024) Berlin Department of Culture, Visual Arts Research Grant
(2024) Athens Photo Festival – Shortlist
(2023) 8. Marta Hoepffner-Preis für Fotografie, Finalist
ARTIST TALKS
(2024) Exploring Identity Through Photographic Practice, Konnekt.Berlin
CURATORIAL WORK & TEACHING
(2021) Nocturne, Ania Sudbin, Studio Haniball, Berlin
(2015) Blaue Marie, Chris Reinecke, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
(2015) Turn the Corner, Evamaria Schaller, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
(2015) Black Stars, Benyamin Reich, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
(2015) Özlem Günyol & Mustafa Kunt, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
(2015) Lectureship in History of Art, Fachhochschule Münster
(2014) Lectureship in History of Art, Fachhochschule Münster