As part of Reframe Namibia – Tracing Stories, Julia Runge presents for the first time images from her new, ongoing work “Namibia’s Black Gold,” in which she examines the conditions in charcoal production in Namibia. Charcoal is considered Black Gold in Namibia—a lucrative export commodity that primarily ends up on European barbecue shelves. Supermarket chains such as ALDI or EDEKA market the charcoal as sustainable and receive “Sustainability Awards” for it. However, behind this supposedly green success story lie problematic working conditions, health risks, and exploitative structures in Namibian production.
(c) Julia Runge(c) Julia Runge
Julia Runge is a German documentary photographer, filmmaker, and curator who has been living and working between Namibia and Germany for over 15 years. Her work is defined by an empathetic and ethical approach, telling intimate stories about identity, social structures, and cultural realities—particularly within the Namibian context.
She graduated in 2015 from the Ostkreuz School of Photography in Berlin, where she gained recognition for her acclaimed project Basterland. This body of work later evolved into a compelling documentary film, which she co-produced in 2022 in collaboration with arte/ZDF. Her photography focuses primarily on portraiture, using a distinctive visual language to address themes of social engagement, cultural identity, and the diverse realities of life across the African continent. Her work has received multiple awards, been featured in leading national and international publications, and exhibited worldwide—in countries such as France, Uganda, Nigeria, China, the United States, and Switzerland.
As Creative Director of the Windhoek-based production company Obsessive Media cc and founder of Reframe Kollektiv e.V. in Berlin, she is dedicated to supporting emerging photographic talents and fostering cultural collaboration between Southern Africa and Europe.
Julia’s work often highlights underrepresented voices and marginalized communities. Her recent focus includes themes such as gender-based violence, queer identities, and the politics of visibility. Through portraiture and long-term storytelling, she explores issues of injustice, resilience, and societal transformation—always guided by a deep commitment to ethical representation and dialogue.
What is real, what is facade? And when does staging become reality? In her exhibition, Sandra Ratkovic combines two photographic explorations: In Moscow, she searches for traces of Soviet history in everyday life today. In contrast, she confronts the mythical images of the “Wild West” from German amusement parks with the reality of contemporary America. Both series offer a glimpse into cultural narratives that oscillate between memory, projection, and everyday life.
