Demonstrators against Catalan independence tendencies enjoy running under a giant half Spanish half Catalan flag during a manifestation on columbus day at Catalonia square in Barcelona
December 6th, 2015. Barcelona, Spain: A demonstrator give kisses to someone on a balcony decorated with an independence flag as she protests for the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation and against a hypothetical independence of Catalonia on the Spanish constitution day.
Barcelona, Spain. 21 September, 2017: Thousands of Catalan separatists shout slogans as they protest in front of the Catalan High Court for the release of the remaining arrested senior officials in run-up to planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain's constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Barcelona, Spain. 22 September, 2017: Catalan pro-independence students occupy the historic building of the University of Barcelona in support of the planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain's constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Barcelona, Spain. 19 October, 2014: 'We'll be free' can be read among tens of thousands of pro-independence protestors during a pro-independence act organized by 'Omnium Cultural' and the 'ANC' at Barcelona's Catalonia Square
Barcelona, Spain. 29 September, 2017: Catalan pro-independence farmers from the surrounding rural area build enter the city of Barcelona in support of the planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain's constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
A young child waves the "Estelada" flag standing on the shoulders of her father during a pro-independence act organized by 'Omnium Cultural' and the 'ANC' at Barcelona's Catalonia Square
About me
Matthias Oesterle
Matthias Oesterle is a German documentary photographer based between Barcelona and Menorca.
His work focuses on people, place and tradition, with a particular interest in the gestures, rituals and everyday moments that shape community life. Working close to his subjects, he seeks proximity and immersion, documenting events and lived environments from within rather than from a distance.
He began working in documentary photography in 2011 while covering the 15-M protests in Barcelona. Since then, his practice has developed toward long-term documentation of social and cultural life across Spain, especially in rural and traditional communities where identity, continuity and belonging are expressed through collective practices.
In recent years, his work has increasingly centred on traditions, rituals and popular festivals — including correfocs, casteller performances and regional celebrations across Spain. Beyond the spectacle of public events, he is drawn to the human structures behind them: preparation, inherited knowledge, domestic thresholds, shared effort, humour, fatigue and moments of connection between generations.
Before focusing on photography, he spent nearly two decades in visual communication, including work as an On-Air designer for Germany’s largest private television news network and later as Art Director at a leading Spanish advertising agency. This background continues to inform his structured approach to composition, colour and visual storytelling.
His photographs have been published internationally in media including The Guardian, National Geographic, Le Monde, Paris Match, El País and The Wall Street Journal.
He continues to work on long-term photographic projects documenting cultural traditions, public rituals and the communities that sustain them.