Witches in Exile
Ann-Christine WOEHRL
The Witches in Exile project, launched by Ann-Christine Woehrl in 2009, is a photographic series that explores the persecution of women accused of witchcraft—a global scourge that still affects more than 40 countries today. Born from a journey to Ghana and Burkina Faso in 2005, the project sheds light on the fate of women exiled in northern Ghana, accused of bringing misfortune, illness, and death. These women are forced to flee their villages and seek refuge in so-called «witch camps,» where they lose everything: their family, home, and dignity.
Through black-background portraits, Ann-Christine Woehrl provides a space for these women to reaffirm their identity, pride, and dignity, directly confronting the injustice of their situation. In addition to these portraits, she has created extensive documentary images, as well as audio and video recordings, giving these women a voice and exposing the brutality of their exile. The project denounces the persistence of belief in witchcraft in rural areas, where such accusations are weaponized against women.
curators Klaus KEHRER, Mao PETERSÉN, Anja PINTER-RAWE/Lepi Arts
partners Kehrer Verlag, Biehler von Dorrer Stiftung, Lepi Arts