About
Michel Kekulé (born 1991 in Fulda) grew up as the child of a family with roots in both East and West Germany, experiencing the realities and traces of a formerly divided country. He currently lives in Berlin.
Kekulé is a photographer and video artist. His work lies at the intersection of documentary photography and socio-political inquiry, exploring temporal, historical, and structural continuities. His projects provide insights into various life worlds, often highlighting social inequalities. Major long-term projects include 50_15, addressing migration in the central Mediterranean, and Mutterland, examining post-reunification East Germany. He studied photography at the Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie in Berlin and graduated under Ina Schoenenburg & Peter Bialobrzeski.
He works as a video artist, including projects for theatre. He created a short film for the production Nullerjahreat Staatsschauspiel Dresden, which was selected as one of the ten most popular shows at the virtual Nachtkritik Theatertreffen.
Kekulé founded Re:Borders e.V., supported by institutions including the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Germany and Stiftung Kulturwerk. The collective explores the boundaries between visual art, political inquiry, and transmedia projects. Its debut exhibition, Re:Borders – An Indictment, was followed by the Solidarity Letter campaign in collaboration with Sea-Watch e.V. and Seebrücke.
Kekulé originally trained as an emergency paramedic and has worked clinically and preclinically in this profession for over 10 years.
Grants & Awards
Artist Fellowship Nomos Glashuette 2023
Nikon Fotobus Grant, Shorlist for ‘Mutterland’, 2023
The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant, Longlist for ‘50_15’, 2023
Project funding "Re:Borders", Rosa-Luxemburg-Foundation Germany 2023/2024
Stiftung Kulturwerk - VG Bildkunst Grant for “Re:Borders”, 2024
BFF Förderpreis, Silver Award for "Mutterland", 2024
TruePicture Finalist, 2025
Hendrik te Neues Award 2025, nominated
Portraits - Hellerau Photography Award, 2025
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions:
2022, Tage der Perseiden, Nomosforum Glashütte, GER
2023, 50_15 - Monat der Fotografie Off, Atelier für Photographie Berlin, GER
2025, Mutterland- Photogalerie Stuttgart, GER
Group Exhibitions:
2023, Mutterland - "Salon zur Katz – 1. Prozess“, Turm Zur Katz Museum of Contemporary Art Konstanz, GER
2023, Mutterland - "East from Where", Studio Hannibal Berlin, GER
2023, "Schriftsteller:innen und Fotograf:innen gegen Antisemitismus", Volksbühne Berlin, GER
2024, 50_15 - "’RE:BORDERS - An indictment’’, Kunstquartier Bethanien Berlin, GER
2024, Mutterland - "Signals", Kunsthalle Neuwerk, Konstanz, GER
2024, Mutterland - "BFF-Förderpreis", Fotofestival "Horzionte Zingst", Zingst, GER
2025, 50_15 - “Meet Me Halfway”- EMOP Special, European Month of Photography Berlin, GER
2025: Mutterland – BFF-Förderpreis, Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe
2025, Mutterland - Technische Sammlung Dresden, GER
2025, Mutterland - Jahrgang Neunzehn, Gute Gesellschaft - Wilhelm Studios Berlin, GER
Clients, Collaborations & Publications
Sea-Watch e.V, Seebrücke, Rosa-Luxemburg-Foundation, Volksbühne Berlin, TAZ, Der Freitag, Schirn Mag, Kubaparis, Nun Mag, Staatsschauspiel Dresden, Schillertage Mannheim, Kunsthalle Gießen, Daily Mirror, L'Essenziale, Berliner Zeitung, Der Greif uvm.
Press & Events
Contact
michelkekule@gmail.com / +491707365844
