a village in the carpathian mountains
Manfred Wirtz

exhibition venue: Gloucester Guildhall

A photographic essay about daily life in a remote province of northern Romania. Uncovering an almost forgotten corner, whose rural way of life has remained sheltered from a century of wars, dictatorships and modernisation. Streets are still dominated by horse-drawn carts, running water and electricity are often a rare privilege. But time has caught up at last.

Western influences are seeping slowly into daily life. Manfred Wirtz is portraying the traditional farming communities over a period from 1995 to 2002. He succeeded in gaining the people’s trust and confidence, documenting all facets of an unique existence. He is telling the story of life, from the cradle to the grave.

Biography / curriculum vitae:
Education:
Graduated on Graphic Design, Art Academy Folkwang-Schule (Essen/Germany)

Positions held:
Freelance photographer (Documentary, reportage
photography); Former Art Director (Brussels, Frankfurt, Amsterdam)

Exhibitions solo:
2000: - Gallery ‘Le Lieu’ Lorient, France; - Ministry of Culture, Luxembourg-City;
1999: Fotofestival Naarden, Holland -Gallery
Imag’Emergence, Brussels;
1998: - Art & Culture, Waterland, Holland - Cultural Centre Ignis, Cologne, Germany;
1989: - Canon Image Centre, Amsterdam

Exhibitions group:
2001: - M.I.L.K. Family, Love & Friendship, New
York, London;
1992- 2002: PANL, Photographers association of the
Netherlands

Publications:
In various international magazines, e.g.:- Marie Claire (Japan, Germany, Australia, Taiwan); - Grands Reportages (France); -Black + White (Australia); - The Earth (Taiwan); - GEO (Korea); -Airone (Italy); - Focus (Poland); - Bizarre (UK); - M Magazine (Holland); - Photography Index I & II (Germany); - M.I.L.K. Family (Australia); - Foto Magazine (Holland).