Höfer is
distinguished for her steadfast dedication to documenting imposing, sumptuous,
historically significant public spaces around the world. She has found
inspiration in the world’s most spectacular libraries, churches, museums,
theatres, universities and palaces, where she composes her awe-inspiring photographs
that celebrate the architecture, design, workmanship and cultural richness of
each of her subjects. Her works are notably devoid of people, focusing
instead on the elaborate details of these stately spaces, yet they all
undeniably suggest a richness and flurry of human activity as either
contemporary or historic centres of cultural activity. The photographs
are always composed in either a fully frontal, symmetrical fashion or at a
deliberate angle, typically flooded with light and dazzling colour. It is
this objective, disengaged manner of tireless documentation that was clearly
informed by Bernd and Hilla Becher. Höfer trained under Bernd Becher at
the Düsseldorf Art Academy in the 1970s and along with Thomas Ruff was the
first of their students to show photographs in colour.