ARTIST
MARKUS KLINKO
Art at the Plaza
"Natural Villains (David Bowie)"
Markus Klinko is a Swiss-born fashion and celebrity photographer who has made a name for himself through his distinctive and imaginative portraits of some of the world’s most famous artists. His work has had a significant impact on popular culture since the early 2000s.
Background & career change
Born in 1961 in Switzerland, with French, Italian, Jewish, and Hungarian background, Klinko began his career as a classical harp soloist. He studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris and performed internationally with symphony orchestras. After a hand injury in 1994, he was forced to end his music career and instead chose to pursue photography, despite having no previous experience in the field.
Breakthrough in photography
Klinko’s breakthrough came when he photographed Iman for her book I Am Iman, which led David Bowie to commission him for the album cover of Heathen (2002). Since then, he has created iconic images for artists such as Beyoncé (the album Dangerously in Love), Mariah Carey (The Emancipation of Mimi), and Lady Gaga. His work is characterised by a high-concept, glamorous, and often surreal style.
Collaborations & exhibitions
- Klinko has worked with a range of international stars, including Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell, and Billie Eilish. His images have been published in leading magazines such as Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Interview Magazine. He has also created advertising campaigns for brands such as Lancôme, L’Oréal Paris, Nike, Hugo Boss, Anna Sui, Pepsi, and Skyy Vodka.
- Klinko’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including Lincoln Center in New York and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. His photo book ICONS brings together many of his most famous portraits.
Media appearances
In addition to his photographic work, Klinko has appeared in various media, including the reality series Double Exposure on Bravo, which followed his creative process together with his collaborator Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri. Markus Klinko remains an influential figure in fashion and celebrity photography, known for his ability to create images that both capture and define pop-cultural moments.