Günther Shaefer

In the stylish ambiance of Günther Schaefer's Berlin flat, we shared an afternoon delight over coffee and cigarettes. A renowned photographer and offset printer, Schaefer's journey spans Germany and the United States. Born in eastern Bavaria near the East German border, he made a pivotal move to Berlin in 1989 when the Wall opened.

Famed for his black-and-white captures of the Wall's fall, notably "Vaterland" at the East Side Gallery, Schaefer gained international acclaim. A founding member of Künstlerinitiative in 1996, he played a key role in creating the East Side Gallery. Today, Berlin remains his muse, and his artistic legacy endures in the city's cultural fabric.