Cultivating a loving foster home for nine fruitful months
Ingrid Hagenhenrich's Photography Exhibition, "Nine Months – Becoming, Being, and Having a Foster Family," now on display at the LWL State House in Münster, offers a tender and authentic glimpse into the world of foster families. The exhibition, co-sponsored by the Social Foundation NRW, the LWL State Youth Office, and the Social Service of Catholic Women (SkF) / Westphalian Foster Families e.V., is an enlightening exploration of nine months – the average duration from a couple's intention to become foster parents to the arrival of a foster child.
Hagenhenrich, a photographer renowned for her empathetic approach to social themes, captures the intricacies of foster family life with remarkable sensitivity. Her images, primarily shot with natural light, radiate warmth and authenticity, creating an intimate connection between the viewers and her subjects.
The exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: "Becoming," "Being," and "Having." The "Becoming" section captures the emotional preparation and professional consultations required before becoming a foster parent. "Being" presents a series of portraits and everyday scenes that illustrate the daily life within foster families. Lastly, "Having" showcases the lasting impacts and emotional rewards of foster family life.
According to Martina Hollstein from the SkF team, who played a crucial role in the project, trust was pivotal in crafting an honest and respectful portrayal of foster families. Hagenhenrich was granted unprecedented access to foster families, professional consultations, first contacts, and origin families.
The opening of the exhibition on a well-attended vernissage saw guests praising Hagenhenrich's work. One guest remarked, "I particularly liked the linguistic images, for which we often lack the words in our professional context." Another felt moved by the exhibition, noting, "I had tears in my eyes with almost every text."
Guests appreciated the exhibition's ability to present foster families in their normal, everyday lives, which one guest felt was particularly important for the children who may see the exhibition. Host Imke Büttner, specialist advisor for foster child support at the LWL State Youth Office, expressed her gratitude to Hagenhenrich for shining a light on foster families.
Iris Brandewiede, columnist at ALLES MÜNSTER, played an essential role in creating this empowering series with Hagenhenrich. Brandewiede's work revolves around telling stories and she has been collaborating with Hagenhenrich on projects that focus on overcoming barriers.
In conclusion, "Nine Months – Becoming, Being, and Having a Foster Family" offers a captivating exploration of foster family life, shedding light on the transformative journey Foster families embark upon. The exhibition will be on display at the LWL State House in Münster until further notice.
In the realm of photography, Ingrid Hagenhenrich's latest work, "Nine Months – Becoming, Being, and Having a Foster Family," extends beyond just home-and-garden settings to encompass the lifestyle of foster families. The exhibition, thematically sectioned into "Becoming," "Being," and "Having," captures the intricacies and transformative journey of foster family life, offering viewers a rare, heartfelt, and authentic insight into this significant aspect of social life.
