Life Before Death, 9 April-18 May 2008

Use the arrows on the right to view a selection of photographs from the exhibition. All images: Walter Schels. 1 of 5

Edelgard Clavey, age 67 “I want so very much to die. I want to become part of that vast extraordinary light. But dying is hard work.” 2 of 5

Maria Hai-Anh Tuyet Cao, age 52 “Death is nothing. I embrace death. It is not eternal. Afterwards, when we meet God, we become beautiful.” 3 of 5

Peter Kelling, age 64 “I’m only 64. I shouldn’t be wasting away like this at that age.” 4 of 5

Heiner Schmitz,  age 52 “Don’t they get it? I’m going to die! That’s all I think about, every second when I’m on my own”. 5 of 5

24 sets of photographs taken before and after death

Nothing teaches us more about life than death itself. Journalist Beate Lakotta and photographer Walter Schels asked 24 terminally ill people if they could accompany them during their last weeks and days. From these vigils came a series of insightful descriptions and photographic portraits taken before and after death.

Far from being gloomy, these intimate concerns of the dying reveal the preciousness and transience of life, and make us question what we often take for granted.

This exhibition is free.