BIOGRAPHY
Yiorgos Michael is a self-taught visual artist and poet whose photographic work explores themes of aging, identity, and emotional constraint. Working at the intersection of post-documentary and studio photography, he employs portraiture and elements of straight photography to construct image essays that blend clarity with ambiguity, often staging metaphorical scenes within intimate, contained spaces. His photographs draw on the emotional atmosphere of Pictorialism and the experimental abstraction of László Moholy-Nagy, while echoing the psychological intensity of Francesca Woodman and the quiet introspection found in Duane Michals’ work. In parallel to his photography, he writes bilingual poetry in Greek and English that addresses similar emotional and philosophical concerns, offering a distinct but thematically resonant voice.
Awards
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Honorable Mention, ND Awards, 2022 (“a gray wall”)
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Finalist, London International Creative Competition (LICC), 2023 (“never a sound of building”)
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Official Selection, International Photography Awards (IPA), 2023 (“never a sound of building”)
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Honorable Mention, ND Awards, 2023 (“burnt”)
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Official Selection, One Shot: Searching for Peace, 2024 (“more peace”)
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Platinum and Gold Winner, European Photography Awards, 2024 (“to catch a storm”)
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Honorable Mention, Black & White Spider Awards, 2024 (“to catch a storm”)
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Honorable Mention, ND Awards, 2024 (“to catch a storm”)
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Official Selection, London International Creative Competition (LICC), 2024 (“to catch a storm” and “gray wall”)
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Official Selection, London International Creative Competition (LICC), 2024 (“F3S” from “Someplace / Not Here / Still There, But Not”)
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Honorable Mention, Monochrome Awards, 2025 (“to catch a storm”)
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Honorable Mention, Monochrome Awards, 2025 (“gray wall”)
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Honorable Mention, Annual Photography Awards (APA), 2025 (“words, they stick” from “Someplace / Not Here / Still There, But Not”)
Exhibitions
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D31 Gallery, Group Exhibition, UK (“Nostalgia”), 2022 x
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BBA Gallery, Group Exhibition, Berlin, 2024
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Art Number 23, Group Exhibition, Design Festa Gallery, Tokyo, 2024
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Agora Gallery, Group Exhibition, New York, 2025
Workshops/Masterclasses
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“Deepen Your Photographic Approach,” Matt Black (@mattblack_blackmatt), New York, October 9–13, 2023
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“Introduction to Studio Photography,” and “Introduction to Portrait and Fashion Photography,” Sanjyot Telang (@sanjyot_telang), Spéos, International Photography School, Paris, June 19–23, and June 26–30, 2023
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“Photographing from the Inside,” Carolyn Drake (@drakeycake) and Sabiha Çimen (@sabakhayr), Lisbon, July 8–12, 2024
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“Breaking Habits to Push your Practice,” Carolyn Drake (@drakeycake), New York, February 10–14, 2025
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“Rome,” Steve McCurry (@stevemccurryofficial) and Eolo Perfido (@eoloperfido), Rome, June 16–22, 2025
Features/Media Mentions
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A Tale Through Visuals | to catch a storm by MUSEdotWORLD, April 11, 2025
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Entry for the Critics’ Choice 2025 award featured at the Competition Gallery, June 2025
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Spider Awards, Winners Book, 2025, image from “to catch a storm”
Contact Information: ymkollective@gmail.com