From Becher to Blume Cat. Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur Cologne

With their collection, Cologne-based couple Ute and Eberhard Garnatz impressively demonstrate just how inspiring and contemporary a private art collection can actually be. Over decades they have assembled a body of work that celebrates painting just as much as photography. Sculptural works also form part of the collection. The Garnatz Collection bears witness to their enthusiasm and keen sense of quality. The ­proximity to the artists has always been important to them. Rather than owning a singular work, they follow the artistic development, and in some cases remain in exchange for years. This publication ­focuses on the photographic aspect of the Garnatz Collection and juxtaposes selected posi­tions with those from the Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur. Particularly interesting in this respect is the documentary-conceptual ­direction, as represented by Bernd and Hilla ­Becher. The Cologne institution is entrusted with the Becher Archive, and the Garnatz Collection also contains distinctive photographs by the artist couple. Works related stylistically by Candida Höfer, Thomas Ruff, and Thomas Struth have been included in this context.

Klaus Honnef, born 1939 in Tilsit, East Prussia, is a German art historian, art critic, exhibition curator and writes about artistic photography. Gabriele Conrath-Scholl, born in 1961, has been director of the "Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur" since 2007; before that she studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. Claudia Schubert is a research assistant and curator at the "Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur," whose focus is on factual documentary photography as a means of artistic expression.