Michael Meyersfeld
Contemporary
Overview

Michael Meyersfeld lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa. His entire working life has embraced photography in various forms. A veteran of both fine art and advertising photography, he has an extensive local and international portfolio of exhibitions and campaigns. He is currently completing his master’s degree in Art History at the University of the Witwatersrand where he explores the role of the Camera Club of Johannesburg in South African Histories of Photography. Meyersfeld’s work has recently shifted to a contemplation of the inherent qualities in objects. Presented as social commentary, it is notable for its stark, sometimes sombre, lonely and edgy imagery that has separateness from reality. The volume of the external world has been turned down in order that both the artist and the viewer can hear and feel the silence. These images could be rendered as abstractions, as less representational, less reliant on meaning and understanding. They are images drawing on texture and dramatic tension more than a linear narrative, pictures more inclined to be felt, to be experienced, than to be understood. His experimental photographic gallery “Backlight” continued for five years. This initiative included interactive photographic workshops and discussion groups fostering innovation at the intersections of photography and art. These lively gatherings, mainly attended by young black photographers, provided an opportunity for exposure and networking, supporting and enhancing the work and career development of black artists, and thinkers. Special friendships were forged through the showing and discussion of each other’s work and sharing of critical perspectives, technical and professional experience. Meyersfeld has won numerous awards and his work hangs in public collections, including Johannesburg Art Gallery; ABSA Permanent Collection; Johannesburg, South Africa; Constitutional Court, Johannesburg, South Africa; Richard Borek GmbH & Co. KG, and many others.

Exhibitions

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions

2019
Notional, The Henry George Gallery, Johannesburg.

2018
Accessing the Encoded, Gallery 2.
Rossouw Modern Art Gallery, Hermanus. (together with St. John Fuller).
‘Adaptation’, Fried Contemporary.

2017
Adaptation’. In Toto Gallery – Johannesburg.

2016
Waka Waka, Group Show. Agog Gallery. Maboneng, Johannesburg.

2015
Pretoria Art Museum. “Stillness” and “Dark City Dreams“.
Everard Read – Johannesburg. “When Feelings Associate a Consciousness Forms” together with Ricky Burnett.

2014
Dark City Dreams: Phutaditjaba Community Centre (Alexandra Township)
Dark City Dreams: In Toto Gallery, Birdhaven, Johannesburg
Dark City Dreams: South African Jewish Museum, Cape Town
The Benediction of Shade 2: Group Show, David Krut Projects
Fried Contemporary: Group
Bayliss Gallery: Group

2013
Meyersfeld – Braunschweig ‘13. Villa von Amsberg.
Group Exhibition: In Toto Gallery
Discordance: University of Johannesburg Gallery

2012
Group Exhibition: South African Jewish Museum
Retrospective: ABSA Gallery

2011
Transience: In Toto Gallery

2007
David Brown Gallery

2004
Photo ZA Gallery

2001
Paris Photo
Photo ZA Gallery

1995
Everard Read Gallery

1986
The Photo Gallery

1982
Marker Photo Gallery

1980
Pentax Gallery

1979
Gallery Querschnitt

1978
Goodman Gallery

1977
SA Pentax Gallery

1975
Nedbank Gallery

Awards

AOP Awards London
2010 – Gold Non-Commissioned Body Single (Alex Church)
2008 – 3 Bronze (Mercedes SLK Campaign)

Pendoring Awards
2010 – Gold Award – Kalahari.net Campaign

Sony Profoto Awards, South Africa
2010 – Picture of the Year – Professional Category (Alex Church)
2010 – 2 Silver Awards – Professional Advertising Category (Ecomist Campaign)
2010 – 1 Gold Award – Professional Photo Journalism Category (Alex Church) • 2009 – 1 Gold Award – Professional Advertising Category (Yum Yum Purple)

Cannes Lions Advertising Festival
2008 – Finalist (Olay)
2005 – 2 Gold Lions, 1 Silver lion (Nugget First Campaign)

The One Show, New York
2006 – 1 Bronze Pencil (Durex Campaign)
2005 – 2 Silver Pencils, 1 Bronze (Nugget First Campaign)

The Andys, New York
2007 – Bronze Statue (Post – it)
2006 – Bronze statue (Nugget First Campaign)

Clios Advertising Awards, USA
2005 – 2 Silver Statues, 1 Bronze Statue (Nugget First Campaign)

New York Advertising Festival
2007 – 1 Gold World Medal (Post – it)
2007 – 1 Grand Prix, 1 Gold (Mercedes SLK Campaign)
2006 – 1 bronze World Medal (Durex and Nugget Second Campaign)
2005 – 2 Gold World Medals, 1 Silver World Medal (Nugget First Campaign)

London International Advertising Awards
2008 – 1 Silver (Olay)
2006 – 1 Winner Statue
2005 – 1 Winner Statue
2004 – 1 Winner Statue

The Eagle Awards
2008 – Bronze (Olay)
2006 – Bronze Eagle

Creative Circle (South Africa) & Ad of the Month
2006 – 1 Winner in February
2005 – 4 Winners in January, February, May & June

The Loerie Awards, South Africa
2010 – Bronze Certificate (Communication & Design) Isuzu Big Mother Trucker Campaign.
2010 – 1 Bronze (South African National Blood Service)
2008 – 1 Bronze (Tipp-Ex)
2008 – 1 Bronze (Olay)
2007 – 3 Bronze Loeries
2006 – 1 Silver Loerie
2005 – 2 Silver Loeries, 4 Bronze Loeries

Featured Artwork
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Black Crack

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 19 x 28.5cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2022

    Edition 5/10

    Enquire Now
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Journey

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 19 x 28.5cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2018

    Edition 4/10

    Enquire Now
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Maelstrom

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 20.24 x 27cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2018

    Edition 4/10

    Enquire Now
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Therapy

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 20.24 x 27cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2018

    Edition 4/10

    Enquire Now
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Scarification

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 19 x 28.5cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2018

    Edition 5/10

    Enquire Now
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Ghost Swan

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 20.24 x 27cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2018

    Edition 4/10

    Enquire Now
  • Placeholder
    Michael Meyersfeld
    Entanglement

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 20.24 x 27cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2019

    Edition 4/10

    Enquire Now
  • Michael Meyersfeld
    Stonetown

    Digital negative contacted onto Ilford Silver Gelatin Fibre Base warm tone semi-matt then hand processed

    Image size: 19 x 28.5cm

    Paper size: 46 x 56cm

    2019

    Edition 5/10

    Enquire Now
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