Florian Hetz is a Berlin-based artist who initially embarked on a career in theater. His path took a different turn when he encountered memory loss due to encephalitis in 2007. In an effort to counteract the loss, Hetz turned to photography as a means of documenting his daily experiences during the recovery process. What started as a photographic diary gradually evolved into a creative exploration of memory itself.
By capturing images based on his memories, and the absence thereof, Hetz delves into the subjective nature of recollection. Through his work, he explores the fragmented and elusive nature of memory, offering a glimpse into the intricate workings of the mind.
Hetz's artistic endeavors have resulted in the publication of three books, showcasing his unique perspective and artistic vision. His work has been widely exhibited both in group and solo shows, gaining international recognition for its evocative and thought-provoking nature.
Currently residing and working in Berlin, Hetz continues to push the boundaries of photographic expression, inviting audiences to reflect on the intricacies of memory and personal experience through his captivating visual narratives.
Solo exhibitions:
2023
unusual experiences, Everyday Gallery, Antwerp
2022
Haut, Parliament Gardens, Photo 2022, Melbourne
2020
Zwei, Bananaz Gallery, Oslo
2018
Echo Park, Frappant Galerie, Triennale der Photographie Hamburg
2016
The Matter of Absence, Berghain, Berlin
Artist in residence at the Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles 2018/19 and 2023
Selected group exhibitions:
2024
LOVE, LUST & FREEDOM, Kunst Museum Brandts, Odense
2023
Queer Pandemia, Parentesi Roma Smistamento, Rome, Désir, Instinct Berlin, Ultra Queer, Base Milano, Milan, Tom of Finland Frieze, Tom of Finland Foundation, Los Angeles
2022
Ufficio della Notte, Die Diele, Zürich, All Together, The Community, Paris, All Together, Studio Cannaregio, Venezia, Urban Clash, P6 Gallery, Berlin, Beautiful Indiscretions, Cokkie Snoei, Rotterdam, L’Œil du Collectionneur, Polka Galerie, Paris
2021
The Gaze, TJ Boulting, London, Get over it, P6 Gallery, Berlin, Artillery, #2_EVOLUTION, Collective Oslo, Oslo, Visible Love, Container Love, Berlin, Boys! Boys! Boys!, Fahey Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, Send me an Image, C/O Berlin, Berlin, Artillery #1 REALIA_, Collective Oslo, Oslo
2020
Intimacy: New Queer Art from Berlin and Beyond, Schwules Museum, Berlin, Body Fluids, Saarländische Galerie, Berlin, Back to Life, Tape Modern, Berlin
2019
From the Margins, Gallery 102, Washington DC, Under the Anti Lies the Body, Slowroom Contemporary/Stefanskirken, Copenhagen, Boys Boys Boys Amsterdam, The Ravestijn Gallery, Amsterdam, My Queer Eye - Berlin, The Ballery, Berlin, Ultra/ Where Love is Illegal, Sedici, Prato, Queer Identities in Europe, Queer Festival Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Boys Boys Boys Köln, Galerie Biesenbach, Köln, The Body is the Instrument, Tom of Finland Foundation, Los Angeles, Month of Photography LA Group Show, Arena 1 Gallery, Los Angeles
2018
A Strong Desire, PS120, Berlin, My Queer Eye, The Ballery, Berlin, #berlinuncensored, Blogfabrik, Berlin, More Boys Boys Boys, Hospital Club, London, Queer Biennial, Naval, Los Angeles
2017
Rotation: Queer, Slowroom Contemporary, Copenhagen, He - Queering and Questioning Masculinity, Last Projects Gallery, Los Angeles, Berlin Savage, Circle 1 Gallery, Berlin
2016
Nerven Behalten, Werkstatt Galerie, Berlin, Instinct 1+2, The Village, Berlin, Last Days of Summer, The Impossible Project, Berlin, Stamp the Future, Werkstatt Galerie, Berlin
Collaborations:
Staatsballett Berlin, Image campaign Season 2023/24
Diesel, Tom of Finland Capsule Collection 2022
Marni, SS2019 Menswear Collection
Publications:
“Boys! Boys! Boys!” Ghislain Pascal, Kehrer Verlag, 2023, “All Together”, Tom of Finland Foundation, 2022, “AIKO” Florian Hetz, Paper Affairs, 2021, “Mein schwules Auge 18 - Outdoors”, Rinaldo Hopf, Konkursbuchverlag, 2021, “ZWEI” Florian Hetz, Paper Affairs, 2020, “New Queer Photography”, Benjamin Wollbergs, Kettler Verlag, 2020, “Boys, Boys, Boys”, Ghislain Pascal, teNeues/MENDO, 2020, “From the Margins”, Andy Johnson, Cocran School of the Arts & Design, 2019, “Der Greif - 12”, Broomberg & Chanarin, 2019, “Mein schwules Auge 16- Berlin” Rinaldo Hopf, Konkursbuchverlag, 2019, “Boys! Boys! Boys!” Ghislain Pascal, The Little Black Gallery, 2018, “Mein schwules Auge 14 - Tom of Finland Foundation Special” Rinaldo Hopf, Konkursbuchverlag, 2018, “Photodarium Private” Prof. Lars Harmsen, seltman+söhne Verlag, 2017, “Pics or it didn’t happen” Arvida Byström, Molly Soda, Prestel Verlag, 2017, “The Matter of Absence” Florian Hetz, Bruno Gmünder Verlag, 2016
Zines:
“I’m Sorry I Hurt You”, Los Angeles, 2023, “LA Diary”, Los Angeles, 2019, “Echo Park” Los Angeles, 2018
Selected Press:
Interview Magazine: “Florian Hetz wants to abolish artist statements”, Vogue Italia: “AIKO • A photobook about loss, acceptance and hope by Florian Hetz”, AnOther Magazine: “Intimacy, Loss and Hope: Inside Florian Hetz´s beautiful 2020 photo diary”, Metal Magazine: “Florian Hetz, male beauty at its best", Dazed and Confused: “Photos that explore the male body as a sex object”, Into More: “Florian Hetz: A Berlin photographer finds home in LA”, Hunger TV: “Berlin photographer Florian Hetz is challenging out phobia of the phallus”, Indie Mag: “The Matter of Absence: a portfolio exploring the gruesome beauty of the human body”, Les Inrockuptibles: “Au plus près des corps et de ses fluides”