Michel Comte
Born 1954, lives and works in Switzerland and Los Angeles.
Michel Comte is a Swiss multidisciplinary artist whose expansive body of work spans photography, painting, sculpture, and environmental installation. Internationally acclaimed for his fashion and portrait photography in the 1980s and ’90s, Comte has since transformed his practice into a deeply personal and politically engaged investigation of time, decay, and the human relationship to nature.
Initially trained as an art restorer, Comte entered the world of photography as an autodidact, quickly gaining prominence through collaborations with Vogue, Vanity Fair, and high-profile campaigns for brands like Chanel and Armani. His early portraits of figures such as Sophia Loren, Carla Bruni, and Jeremy Irons revealed a unique sensitivity to character, presence, and visual narrative. Yet it was his move beyond commercial work that marked a radical turning point in his career.
In recent years, Comte has shifted his focus toward environmental concerns, particularly the impact of climate change, war, and industrialization. His large-scale installations and mixed-media works, often composed of lead, ash, concrete, and found materials, confront viewers with the material residues of human activity. These pieces do not merely document destruction – they embody it. Their raw surfaces speak to processes of erosion, collapse, and, paradoxically, regeneration.
Comte’s work reflects a persistent duality: the ephemeral beauty of the world and the violence it endures. This sensibility is grounded in his first-hand experiences documenting war zones and environmental devastation for organizations like the Red Cross. His ongoing series Light (2013–) examines light not only as a metaphor but as a literal presence, often refracted through broken glass, scorched surfaces, and reflective metals.
Exhibited at institutions such as the NRW Forum (Düsseldorf), the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), and the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing), Comte’s work continues to evolve across mediums, retaining a powerful urgency and philosophical depth. By integrating photography, sculpture, and site-specific installation, he creates sensorial experiences that challenge viewers to reflect on impermanence, resilience, and the future of our planet.
