Michael Kirkham (1971, UK), lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
He completed his education at the Glasgow School of Art and De Ateliers, Amsterdam. His work has been exhibited in public and private collections in The Netherlands, Germany and New York. An important aspect of Kirkham’s work is the use of light, yet the source of it differs in every work. Often highly regarded for their uncompromising nature, Michael Kirkham’s paintings give a delicate insight into the dark corners of human existence.
from Thursday 3 September till 10 October 2020
2022
from Saturday July 6 – Saturday August 3, 2019
From Saturday, January 27th, to Saturday, March 3rd, 2018
from Saturday, October 29th, 2011 to Saturday, December 10th, 2011
from Sunday, April 20th, 2014 to Saturday, May 17th, 2014
CV Michael Kirkham
Born 1971 in Blackpool, England
Lives and works in Berlin, Germany
Selected Solo/Duo Exhibitions
2024
Fishbowl, Harkawik Gallery, New York (USA)
2023
Zero to Nine, Harkawik Gallery, New York (USA)
2022
Art Island, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
The Story of Black Glove, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2021
Solo exhibition, hosted by David Zwirner on Platform, Peninsula Art Space, New York (US)
2020
NEGATIVES, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
Highlighting Skin, with Ina van Zyl, De Ketelfactory, Schiedam (NL)
2019
Hand in Glove, U124 project space, Berlin (DE)
Viel Feind, Viel Ehr, Peninsula Art Space, New York (USA)
Wundersame Welten, Galerie Michael Haas, Berlin (DE)
2018
Viennacontemporary, Vienna (AT), rep. by Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
Rise and Shine, Saturnine, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2015
Ekstatisches Einsamkeit, with Julius Hofmann, Galerie Kleindienst, Leipzig (D)
Small Erotics & Still Lives, Coridor, Reykyavik (IC)
2014
Yield to the Night, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2013
The Indolent, Galerie Michael Haas, Berlin (D)
Invited / Herbstundgang, with Koen Delaere, Spinnerei, Leipzig (D)
2011
Intercourse, with Jukka Korkeila, Nortällje Konsthall, Nortällje (SW)
2010
New Paintings, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
The Ox and the Ass, with Jukka Korkeila, Galerie 21, Malmö (SW)
2009
Art Brussels, Brussels (B), rep. by Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2008
Hotel Grande Abyss, Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries, Amsterdam (NL)
Paintings, Private Project space, Galerie Hammelehle und Ahrens, Cologne (D)
2007
New Paintings, Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries, Amsterdam (NL)
Michael Kirkham, Haags Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL)
2006
Ecstasis, Galerie Jan Wentrup, Berlin (D)
Open Space, Art Cologne, Cologne (D)
2005
Final Presentation, European Ceramic Work Centre, Den Bosch (NL)
New Paintings and Ceramics, Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries, Amsterdam (NL)
2003
The Neurasthenics, Drawings & Paintings, Hein Elferink, Staphorst (NL)
2002
When Power Streamed, Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
2001
Paintings, Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries, Amsterdam (NL)
2000
Recent Paintings, Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
1999
Drawings and Paintings, De Nederlandsche Bank, Amsterdam (NL)
Reflexive Figurations, Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten – d’Eendt, Amsterdam (NL)
1998
Art Brussels, Brussels (B), rep. by Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
1997
Lightning 3, De Beyerd, Breda (NL)
First Exhibition, Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
Kinky – Malerei im Saft, GalerieEtage, Museum Reinickendorf, Berlin (GER)
2022
Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL), rep. By Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2020
Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL), rep. By Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2019
Yes We’re Open, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
Freigänger/Open Prison, Lichterfelde Berlin (DE)
I Like It Real, Schau Fenster Raum für Kunst, Berlin (DE)
In Situ, Kultursommer Mittelhessen, Giessen (DE)
2018
Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL), rep. by Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2017
PARALLELWELT, nationalmuseum, Berlin (DE)
Blush, Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 22, Berlin (DE)
2016
Amsterdam Art Fair, Amsterdam (NL), rep. by Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
Your Light is My Darkness (Part III), Gerhard Hofland Gallery Amsterdam (NL)
VOLTA12, Basel (CH), rep. by Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
Your Light is My Darkness (Part II), Fienkunst Krüger, Hamburg (D)
Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL), rep. by Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2015
Your Light is My Darkness (Part I), Surgo Studio, Berlin (D)
Still Leben 3, Galerie Michael Haas, Berlin (D)
Roxxie, Nationalmuseum, Berlin (D)
Spiegel im Spiegel, Psychiatrische Centrum, Bruges (B)
Ontbloot, Haags Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL)
Galerie Accrochage, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
2014
Bitter Süsse Zeiten, Kunsthause Städe, Städe (D)
Die Hallucinierte Welt: Malerie am Rand Der Wirklichtkeit, Haus am Lutzöwplatz, Berlin (D)
2013
For the Sake of Paint 2, Galerie Witteveen, Amsterdam (NL)
2012
Eros und Thanatos, Collection Rusche, Spinnerei, Leipzig (D)
Dog Days of Entropy, Nationalmuseum, Berlin (D)
2011
Love and Cruelty, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL), with Thom Puckey, Johan Tahon
The Raising of Lazarus, Nationalmuseum, Berlin (D)
Memoires du Futur, Collection Olbricht, La Maison Rouge, Paris (FR)
Zwei Sammler (Sammlung Olbricht/Falkenberg), Deichtorhallen, Hamburg (D)
Fear? Fear!, Konstlaboratorium, Vestfossen (N)
The Unutterable, Gerhard Hofland Gallery, Amsterdam (NL), with Jukka Korkeila, Wouter van Riessen
2010
A Drawback, Aterlierhof Kreuzberg, Berlin (D)
Lebenslust und Tötentanz, Collection Olbricht, Kunsthalle Krems, Krems (AUS)
Paranoia, De Cacaofabriek NL, Helmond (NL)
Hostile Aesthetik Takeover, The Appartement, Berlin (D)
2009
Table Dancing, The Forgotten Bar, Berlin (D)
Öffentliche Errgung / Indecent Exposure, Loop – Raum für Aktuelle Kunst, Berlin (D)
2008
Nationalmuseum, Berlin (D), six group shows in different locations, Berlin (D)
Diana + Actaeon, Die Verbotene Blick auf die Nacktheit, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf (D)
Mask of Medusa, KFA Gallery, Berlin (D)
In Between, Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden (NL)
Lanzarote, Keith Talent Gallery, London (UK)
Cobra To Contemporary, A Selection of works from Eclectic Contemporary, The Collection of Hugo and Carla Brown, Artnews Projects, Berlin (D)
2007
Unsere Affekte Fliegen aus den Bereich der Menschlichen Wirklichkeit heraus, Galerie Sandra Bürgel, Berlin (D)
The Full Nelson, West Germany, Berlin (D)
Songs of Innocence and Aggression, National Gallery Of Macedonia, Skopje (MAC)
Verzameld: Een Keuze uit eigen collectie 1986-2007, Galerie LUMC, Leiden (NL)
20 jaar Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten – d’Eendt, Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten – d’Eendt, Amsterdam (NL)
2006
Replacing Mashkov, Haags Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL)
Aanwinsten 2005: een keuze, De Nederlandsche Bank, Amsterdam (NL)
What’s new?, Aanwinsten Hedendaagse Kunst, Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem, Arnhem (NL)
Marnix Goossens, Michael Kirkham en Francis Marshall, De Kring, Amsterdam (NL), with Marnix Goossens, Francis Marshall
Art Cologne, Cologne (D), rep. by Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries, Amsterdam (NL)
2004
Im sofortigen engestandnis falches gedanken und taten liegt unsere wachsende unabhangingkeit, Galerie Antik, Berlin (D)
2003
Wet Paint, Galerie Fons Welters, Amsterdam (NL)
Prix de Nouvelle Images, Nouvelle Images, The Hague (NL)
2002
Major Art Fair Amsterdam, Amsterdam (NL), rep. by Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten – d’Eendt, Amsterdam (NL)
Desire, Museum of Modern Art, Bologna (IT)
2001
Urgences de Figuration, Centre Cultural Francais, Turin (IT)
Desire, Ursula Blickle Stifftung, Kraichtal (D)
10 x Dutch Art, Centre for Contemporary Art, St. Petersburg (RUS)
2000
KunstRai, Amsterdam (NL), rep. by Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten – d’Eendt, Amsterdam (NL)
1999
Arte Fiera Bologna, Bologna (IT), rep. by Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
FIAC Paris, Paris (FR), rep. by Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
1998
Morning Glory, De Ateliers, Amsterdam (NL)
FIAC Paris, Paris (FR), rep. by Gallery Sabine Wachters, Brussels (B)
1996
Pump up the Cherry, Galerie Cokkie Snoei, Rotterdam (NL)
1994
Unbuilding, Gallery 99, Glasgow (SC)
East 94, Norwich Gallery, Norwich (UK)
Education
1988 Blackpool and the Fylde College, Blackpool (UK)
1990 Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow (SC)
1994 De Ateliers, Amsterdam (NL)
Residencies
2005 European Ceramic Work Centre, Den Bosch (NL)
Awards / Stipends / Grants
1994 De Ateliers, Amsterdam (NL)
Publications
2015 Roxxie, MKK Verlag, Berlin (D)
2014 Hinter dem Vorhang, Detlef Kuhlbrodt, ed.
2013 Bildgewitter, Erzgeburtstag Thomas Rusche
2010 Lebenlust & Totentanz, Olbricht Collection, Catalogue
Nieuw Realisme, collection of form Scheringa Museum for Realism, catalogue
De intens verveelde gewone mens, Manon Brat in Kunstbeeld (March)
2009 Amorality Play, Catherine Somze in Zoo Magazine (23)
2008 Der Verbotene Blick auf die Nackheit, Diana & Actaeon, catalogue
2008 Geraffineerd spel met rollen, Kees Keijer in Het Parool (March 8)
2008 The Story of Black Glove in Gringo Magazine
2007 Leve de Schilderkunst, Kunsthal Rotterdam (NL), catalogue
2007 Michael Kirkham, Haags Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL), catalogue
2007 Animating Light on the Work of MK, Ernst van Alphen, Haags Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL), catalogue
2007 Beeld van het lege levensgevoel, Rutger Pontzen in De Volkskrant (August 7)
2007 Dode Zielen op vieze matras in kaal landschap, Erik Quint in Algemeen Dagblad (July 27)
2007 Seks en bandeloosheid uit verveling, Manon Braat in NRC Handelsblad (August 5)
2007 Achter die Verveelde Blik, Edo Dijksterhuis in Financieel Dagblad (July 21)
2007 Erotic Redemption, Rogier Ormeling in De Groene Amsterdammer (September 10)
2006 Ecstasis Engländers, Jan Wentrup and Corinna Daniels in Die Welt (January 27)
2005 SOLO, Kwak, Van Daalen en Ronday Printers, Zaandam, catalogue
2003 The Neurasthenics (Preparatory Drawings), Hein Elferink, Staphort (NL), catalogue
2002 Michael Kirkham’s werk is verraderlijk knap gemaakt, Kees Keijer in Het Parool (December)
2000 Reflexive Figurations, Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten – d’Eendt, catalogue
2000 Reflexive Figurations, Hans den Hartog Jager in NRC Handelsblad (April 7)
2000 Pinocchio’s Liefje, Els Fiers in Knack Magazine
2000 Realism Pictural, Claude Lorent in La Libre Belgique
2000 Moins de Trente Ans, Stephane Rey in L’Echo de la Bourse
2000 Beter dan Barbie, Jan Florizoone in De Standaard
1998 Trois Jeunes Artistes, Guy Gilsoul in Le Vif L’Express
1998 Die Pariser Kunstmesse Fiac, Haar Uberm Sofarand, Kölner Stadt Anzeiger
1997 Lightning 3, Ernst van Alphen in De Beyerd Breda
Public Collections
Collection Olbricht, Essen/Berlin (D)
Collection SOER Rusche, Oelde (B)
Centraal Museum, Utrecht (NL)
Haags Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL)
Akzo Nobel Art Foundation, Arnhem (NL)
Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem, Arnhem (NL)
De Nederlandsche Bank, Amsterdam (NL)
Museum for Realism (former Scheringa Collection) (NL)
Sammlung Ritter Sport, Stuttgart (D)
Several private collections in Holland, Belgium, France, Israël, Germany, Scotland,USA