Michel Kirch
Biography
Michel Kirch is a French visual artist and photographer who has developed an international career that has been recognized and awarded numerous times in both artistic and intellectual circles.
Edgar Morin, who wrote the preface to his upcoming monograph Climats et Atmosphères (Climates and Atmospheres), describes him as an “awakener” and a “visionary.” Their collaboration has taken the form of several events, such as the sponsorship of the exhibition “Spacialités” at the Espace Cardin, the sponsorship of "Art for Consciousness" with the donation of a work to Humanity, the joint conference at the Dal Verne Theater in Milan broadcast worldwide, and Edgar Morin's unique preface to a living artist.
Winner of numerous national and international awards, these include the Académie des Beaux Arts in Paris with an exhibition at the Palais de l'Institut de France, a solo exhibition at UNESCO Paris during the Global Conference visited by François Hollande and 17 African heads of state, among others, his election as “Photographer of the Year” two years in a row at the “Monochrome Awards,” his exhibition at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie as winner of the "Grand Prix Eurazeo for Photography," his appointment as Ambassador of Interculturality by the Club UNESCO Sorbonne, and his invitation by the French Embassy in India to represent French cultural influence at the “Bonjour India” event. In 2019, he became the only photographer in the history of the Salon d'Automne to be its guest of honor on the Champs Elysées. In 2022, he was invited by the European Cultural Center to participate in the Venice Biennale at the Palazzo Mora for seven months.
More recently, he was the 2025 winner of the “Art et Nature” prize awarded by the Fondation l'Ermitage for his contribution to Anthropocene Art. In November 2025, he received the French Senate Medal.
Exhibitions
2026
- Hommage, Tour d'Argent, L'isle sur la sorgue
2025
- Nouvel ART & VIN Inauguration, Domaine Tourbillon, Lagnes
2024
- Entre deux mondes, Fonds Culturel de l'Ermitage Garches
- Photo Basel, Art Basel
- Dans la Vague, Campredon Art et Image, L'isle-sur-la-sorgue
2022
- Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
- Cybernetics of Dream, Saphir Gallery, Paris
2021
- L’origine de la lumière, Saphir Gallery, Dinard
- Cybernetics of Dream, Pascal Lainé Gallery, Ménerbes
2020
- Automatus, virtual exhibition
2019
- Mondes Intérieurs, Saphir Gallery, Paris
- Le Salon d'Automne, guest of honor, Champs-Élysées, Paris
2018
- Mondes Intérieurs, Saphir Gallery, Paris
- Le Salon d'Automne, guest of honor, Champs-Élysées, Paris
- FLUSS: Regards Croisés France / Austria, Vienna
- Solo show at ST-ART, Strasbourg
- Phot'Aix Festival, Zola Gallery, Aix en Provence
- Collection and winners of Eurazeo Grand Prize, MEP, Paris
2017
- Exhibition of the finalists of Académie des Beaux-Arts, Paris
- Le JE dU JEU, Museum of Faïence and Beaux-arts of Nevers
- The Origin of Light, MUSEUM MESSMER, Riegel
2016
- Déplacement, Achillea Gallery and Au Medicis Gallery, Paris
- L'exode fantastique, Galerie Beaux Arts et Librairie Signatures, Paris
- AMTM Art’Expo / Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris
- Winner of the International Competition "Spirit of the Mediterranean", PHOTOMED 2016 The festival of Mediterranean photography, Sanary-sur-mer
2015
- Tu es nous, Mairie 4th Arr. Paris
- The Awakened book, Benaki Museum, Athens
2014
- Fotofever with Sabrina Raffaghello Gallery, Paris
- The awakened, Schwab Beaubourg Gallery, Paris
- Opening Sabrina Raffaghello Gallery, Paris
- Grand prix Eurazeo, Espace Central Dupon, Paris
- The awakened, Cour d'Or Museum, Metz
2013
- Acquisition of a monumental work at the reception of CELCA, Metz
- MAC 2000, Espace Champerret, Paris
- The awakened, prieuré Saint-Vincent, Chartres
- Transitions, personal exhibition at UNESCO Paris, France
- Quintessence, French Ambassy, New Delhi
2012
- Salon d'Automne in Tel Aviv
- Multimediart, Plastic arts - Exhibition Bastille Design Center, Paris
2011
- Spacialities, Espace Cardin Evolution, Paris
- Conversation, INSULA Gallery, Paris
- MIA ART FAIR, with Esther Woerdehoff Gallery, Milan
2010
- Paris Photo with Esther Woerdehoff Gallery, Paris
2009
- Paris Photo with Esther Woerdehoff Gallery, Paris
Awards
2025
- ART AND NATURE PRIZE, Hermitage Cultural Fund
- SENATE MEDAL
2022
- PORTFOLIO SPOTLIGHT WINNER : Black & White Magazine, february
2021
SINGLE IMAGE SPOTLIGHT AWARD WINNER: Black & White Magazine (March)
2018
- MONOVISIONS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS : 1ST PLACE - BLACK & WHITE CONCEPTUAL PHOTO OF THE YEAR
2017
- International Photographer of the Year 2017: third place Winner in Fine Art Conceptual
- Elected by CREATIVE QUARTERLY among the 100 Best Annual Artists
- Finalist ( 5 finalists ) for the Photography Price of the " Academie des Beaux-Arts ", Paris
- Finalist at the Schneider Foundation (850 candidates from 58 countries)
- Laureate at the 32nd Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, Chelsea (Manhattan)
- Laureate at FESTPHOTO BRAZIL CONTEST and selected for the 10th anniversary, Porto Alegre, Brasil
- Laureate at CREATIVE QUARTERLY 2017 (Fine Art Professional)
- MONOCHROME PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2017 (category Professional)
2016
- Laureate of the International Competition « Spirit of the Mediterranean », by PHOTOMED and LENSCULTURE,
2013
- EURAZEO GRAND PRIZE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
- Black and White Magazine : Award Winner Portfolio Contest
- Nomination for the PICTET PRIZE 2014 "CONSUMPTION"
2012
- Named "Intercultural Ambassador" by the UNESCO Sorbonne Club
2011
- AZART PHOTO PRIZE at MAC PARIS ARTFAIR
2010
- Spotlighted by the City of Marseille, for the exhibition « Transphotographies »
- Becomes the first artist to be chosen by the foundation L’Art pour la Conscience et le Partage des Biens Communs, sponsored by Edgar Morin
Edition
The editions "La Manufacture de l'Image" publish in November2014 the first book dedicated to the work of Michel Kirch, from the series "THE AWAKENED". Christian Noorbergen, criticart and exhibition curator, accompanies the work with a plural text.
Two original photographic works signed by Michel Kirch, are printed by himself in his studio on "Epson fine art cotton textured natural" paper, each in the form of a triptych measuring 60 x 42 cm, once unfolded. Inspired by the artist's creations, Shmuel T. Meyer (Prix Goncourt de la Nouvelle in 2021), wrote the poem "Entre-Soleils" as well as a poem in Hebrew accompanied by its translation. A magnetic box sheathed in black leather (43 x 23 cm) houses this original work-book produced by Patricia Dupuy and Bernard Soria for the Renard Pâle Éditions, limited to 30 signed copies.
Set THE AWAKENEDLimited Edition Portfolio signed on 25 copie.Each portfolio consists of an original print signed and numbered by Michel Kirch, 10 four-color offset prints, a preface by Edgar Morin, and a text by Michel Kirch.The original print can be selected from four photographs.Original print presented with an acid free passe-partout and a tracing page of flap, and each offset print.
Set ESSENCE. Limited Edition Portfolio signed on 25 copy. Each portfolio consists of an original print signed and numbered by Michel Kirch, 10 four-color offset prints, a preface by Edgar Morin, and a text by Michel Kirch. The original print can be selected from four photographs. Original print presented with an acid free passe-partout and a tracing page of flap, and each offset print.
Set CLIMATES Limited Edition Portfolio signed on 25 copie.Each portfolio consists of an original print signed and numbered by Michel Kirch, 10 four-color offset prints, a preface by Edgar Morin, and a text by Michel Kirch.The original print can be selected from four photographs.Original print presented with an acid free passe-partout and a tracing page of flap, and each offset print.
Press
2025
2024
2022
2021
2020
2019
2019
2019
2018
2018
2017
2017
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