Long before he was one of the top male models of the 1990s — appearing in fashion campaigns for Calvin Klein, Versace, Guess? and Roberto Cavalli — Mikael Kenta was a photographer. Today he creates stunning portraits that capture the humanity, strength and character of each of his subjects.
Born in 1972 in Gothenburg, Kenta showed a love of photography at an early age — his father gave him his first camera when he was only seven. In later years, Kenta studied science and graphic design. However, he decided he was more interested in photography and, in his spare time, worked as an assistant to a fashion photographer in Gothenburg.
In 1994, Kenta went to Milan, keen to learn more about fashion and art photography. In an attempt to launch his photographic career, he applied to several fashion agencies — as it turned out, they were more interested in signing Kenta as a model.
During his 15-year modeling career, Kenta gained valuable insight into the world of fashion photography, learning various techniques about posing subjects, lighting and composition — elements that make up much of Kenta’s own photography today.
Although he prefers to work in black and white photography, citing revered American fashion photographer Herb Ritts as an influence, Kenta demonstrates considerable proficiency with color photography — inspired by the “kitsch pop Surrealism” that characterizes the work of American MTV music video director and photographer Dave LaChapelle. This is evident in Kenta’s “Iconic” series featuring works such as Mr. Donut, Kind of Blue and Coke. In 2016, the series was shown at the “Walk of Inspiration” exhibition in Stockholm.
The following year, Kenta spent six months on the island of Ibiza, meeting and photographing several people who made a lasting impression on him. This culminated in a striking series of hyperrealistic black-and-white portraits titled “People from Ibiza.”
Kenta’s contemporary photography continues to garner critical acclaim from art critics and collectors alike, with his works featured in galleries throughout Europe and the United States.
Find original Mikael Kenta photography on 1stDibs.
Pedro and Mariette, From Ibiza Series, Diptych
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
Set From the Ibiza People series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
Francisco From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Mr Donut From Iconic Series, Large Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Archival Pigment, Color
Francisco and Mariette, From Ibiza Series, Diptych
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Mr Donut, Kind of Blue, and V Triptych. From Iconic Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Color, Archival Pigment
Ron From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Jesus From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Pedro. From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Why Not From Iconic Series, Medium Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Archival Pigment, Color
Marbella From Iconic Series, Large Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Color, Archival Pigment
Coke From Iconic Series, Medium Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Archival Pigment, Color
Mariette From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Anibal From Ibiza Series, Small Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Gonzalo From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Jesus 2 From Ibiza Series
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Archival Pigment, Black and White
Ron and Mariette, From the Ibiza Series, Diptych
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
Jesus 2 and Jesus, From Ibiza Series, Diptych
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“People from Ibiza” Kenta first came to visit the magic island of Ibiza as a young man at the age of 18 and fell in love with the diversity of personalities and expressions of freedo...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
V From Iconic Series, Large Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Archival Pigment, Color
Yello. From Iconic Series, Medium Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Color, Archival Pigment
Safari From Iconic Series, Large Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Archival Pigment, Color
Kind of Blue From Iconic Series, Medium Size
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...
Archival Pigment, Color
$2,950
H 36 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
"Embrace" Figurative Photography 36" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Aaron Mcpolin
By Aaron McPolin
Located in Culver City, CA
"Embrace" Figurative Photography 36" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Aaron Mcpolin Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issued by the artist. Archival Giclee Print NOT framed. Shi...
Archival Pigment
$700
H 24 in W 18 in D 0.1 in
Untitled (Nr. 0423) Photography 24" x 18" Edition of 24 by Ben Cope
By Ben Cope
Located in Culver City, CA
Untitled (Nr. 0423) Photography 24" x 18" Edition of 24 by Ben Cope Signed and numbered by the artist. Unframed - ships rolled in a tube Ben Cope + Rowan Daly Off the Grid Off t...
Archival Pigment
Tippee Cup
By Julie Blackmon
Located in Sante Fe, NM
The Dutch proverb “a Jan Steen household” originated in the 17th century and is used today to refer to a home in disarray, full of rowdy children and boisterous family gatherings. Th...
Archival Pigment
Yanomami, Amazonia, Brazil, January 1995
By Jonathan Becker
Located in New York, NY
Yanomami, Amazonia, Brazil, January 1995 X Photographed by Jonathan Becker Contemporary 28" x 28.5" Archival Pigment Print Edition Nº 2 of 9 Certificate of Origin Signed and Titled...
Archival Pigment
$3,007
H 13.78 in W 20.87 in D 0.08 in
Craig -Signed limited edition nude print, Black white Contemporary sleeping Man
By Ian Sanderson
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
An original signed archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm paper by Scottish artist Ian Sanderson (1951- 2020) titled ‘ Craig ‘ who was captured on film in 199...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Photographic Film, Black and White, Pi...
Surfers Kids and Cop
By Al Satterwhite
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 25 Signed and numbered in black ink on print margin. Signed, titled, dated, print date and misc. notations in pencil on print verso *Available in additional sizes. Al Sa...
Archival Pigment
$3,608
H 29.53 in W 19.89 in D 0.08 in
Franci - Signed limited edition still life portrait print, Sensual, Contemporary
By Ian Sanderson
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Franci - Signed limited edition archival pigment print - Edition of 5 This image was captured on film in 1986. The negative was scanned creating a digital file which was then prin...
Archival Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment, Photographic Film, Pi...
$3,007
H 19.69 in W 14.57 in D 0.08 in
Michelle- Signed limited edition portrait print, Black white, Sensual woman
By Ian Sanderson
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Michelle - Signed limited edition archival pigment print, 1997 - Edition of 5 This image was captured on film. The negative was scanned creating a digital file which was the...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Black and White, Photographic Film, Pi...
Steve McQueen / Sebring 12-Hour Race, Florida
By Al Satterwhite
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 25 Signed, titled, dated, numbered, print date and copyright by Al Satterwhite Archival pigment print Paper size: 20 x 16 in. *Available in additional sizes. Al Satterwh...
Archival Pigment
$15,000
H 44 in W 44 in
Andy Warhol and His Corsets at the Fourth Factory, New York, 1986
By Jonathan Becker
Located in New York, NY
Andy Warhol and his corsets at the fourth factory, New York, 1986 "Andy had to wear corsets ever after he was shot in the abdomen. The ever-devoted Brigid "Polk" Berlin dyed them f...
Archival Pigment
Let's pretend
By Maggie Taylor
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Maggie Taylor creates evocative single-scene narratives in her whimsical and elaborate photomontages. Working intuitively, Taylor combines 19th Century photographs, found objects, an...
Archival Pigment
Pink Legs I
By Leandro Franco
Located in New York City, NY
Leandro Franco Pink Legs I, 2020 48 x 40 inches 120 x 100 cm Archival Pigment Print Edition of 13 UnFramed Fashion Photography - Portrait - Black and white
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Sold
H 62.99 in W 94.4 in D 0.1 in
Francisco and Mariette, From Ibiza Series, Diptych
By Mikael Kenta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Francisco and Mariette, Diptych From the "Ibiza" Series Archival Pigment Print with a 1.57-inch white border. Individual Image size: 62.99 in. H x 47.24 in. W Overal size: 62.99 in. ...
Black and White, Archival Pigment