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Markus Klinko

Markus Klinko is an award-winning fashion and pop culture photographer and film director who is renowned all over the world. The Swiss-born artist has worked with a wealth of legendary celebrities in music, film and fashion, and has created poignant and striking images that capture the essence of popular culture of the 2000s. 

Klinko was initially interested in music. He was a classically trained harpist and studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Klinko was a featured solo performer with orchestras around the world, signed an exclusive recording contract with EMI Classics and was awarded the Grand Prix de Disque for his recording of French harp music with members of the orchestra of the Paris Opera Bastille. 

In 1994, Klinko suffered a hand injury and chose to retire from recording and performing. Instead, he decided to take up fashion photography. He’d made friends in the industry over the years and his talent earned him assignments with the likes of the London Sunday Times and Interview magazine and other French and British fashion magazines. Klinko eventually met revered British rock star David Bowie because he was shooting Bowie’s wife — supermodel, entrepreneur and actress Iman.

In 2001, the photographer shot the cover of the book I Am Iman — Iman's book, which features contributions by David Bailey, Helmut Newton and others — and Bowie commissioned Klinko to photograph him for the cover of the singer’s 2002 album Heathen. Klinko and Bowie worked together again for the cover of GQ, and a 2001-era collection of never-before-seen images of the musician that Klinko shot called “Bowie Unseen” has garnered international critical acclaim.

Collaborating with digital post-production artist and photo editor Indrani, Klinko has created some of the most iconic album covers of the 21st century and has worked with American superstars Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Over the years, the photographer has worked for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Hugo Boss, L’Oréal Paris and many more. A campaign he shot for children with AIDS raised over one million dollars in merely three days. The book Icons: The Celebrity Exposures of Markus and Indrani was published in 2012.

Find original Markus Klinko portraits, nude photography and other photography on 1stDibs.

David Bowie : The Descent Album Version, New York, 2001 by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
New Release - October 2023 "Bowie, The Descent- Album Version, New York, 2001" Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen". This shot of David Bowie is...
Category

2010s Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

DITA VON TEESE, THE ARRIVAL by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of Dita Von Teese by photographer Markus Klinko in 2013 in Los Angeles. This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus K...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

Cai by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of Cai by photographer Markus Klinko in 2000 in New York. This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus Klinko 24" high...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

LIZ, AT THE W CAUSING TROUBLE by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of LIZ, AT THE W CAUSING TROUBLE by photographer Markus Klinko in 2013 in Hollywood, Los Angeles. This print is available in the following sizes, signe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

DITA VON TEESE, THE WHIP by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of Dita Von Teese by photographer Markus Klinko in 2013 in Los Angeles. This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus K...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

BEYONCÉ, NIGHT SKY by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of Beyoncé by photographer Markus Klinko. Shot in 2003 This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus Klinko 24" high ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

AURIELEE SUMMERS, THE BATH by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of AURIELEE SUMMERS, THE BATH by photographer Markus Klinko in 2013 in Los Angeles. This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

IMAN, FLOWERS by Markus Klinko
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, US
Museum quality fine art print of Iman by photographer Markus Klinko taken in New York, 2004 This print is available in the following sizes, signed and numbered by Markus Klinko 24" ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Markus Klinko

Materials

C Print

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Markus Klinko art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Markus Klinko art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, purple, orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Markus Klinko in pigment print, archival pigment print, digital print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Markus Klinko art, so small editions measuring 15 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Drew Doggett, Henry Diltz, and Ian Sanderson.

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