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Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Swedish, b. 1972

Long before he was one of the top male models of the 1990s — appearing in fashion campaigns for Calvin Klein, Versace, Guess? and Roberto CavalliMikael Kenta was a photographer. Today he creates stunning portraits that capture the humanity, strength and character of each of his subjects.

Born in 1972 in Gothenburg, Kenta showed a love of photography at an early age — his father gave him his first camera when he was only seven. In later years, Kenta studied science and graphic design. However, he decided he was more interested in photography and, in his spare time, worked as an assistant to a fashion photographer in Gothenburg. 

In 1994, Kenta went to Milan, keen to learn more about fashion and art photography. In an attempt to launch his photographic career, he applied to several fashion agencies — as it turned out, they were more interested in signing Kenta as a model. 

During his 15-year modeling career, Kenta gained valuable insight into the world of fashion photography, learning various techniques about posing subjects, lighting and composition — elements that make up much of Kenta’s own photography today.

Although he prefers to work in black and white photography, citing revered American fashion photographer Herb Ritts as an influence, Kenta demonstrates considerable proficiency with color photography — inspired by the “kitsch pop Surrealism” that characterizes the work of American MTV music video director and photographer Dave LaChapelle. This is evident in Kenta’s “Iconic” series featuring works such as Mr. Donut, Kind of Blue and Coke. In 2016, the series was shown at the “Walk of Inspiration” exhibition in Stockholm.

The following year, Kenta spent six months on the island of Ibiza, meeting and photographing several people who made a lasting impression on him. This culminated in a striking series of hyperrealistic black-and-white portraits titled “People from Ibiza.” 

Kenta’s contemporary photography continues to garner critical acclaim from art critics and collectors alike, with his works featured in galleries throughout Europe and the United States.

Find original Mikael Kenta photography on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Mikael Kenta
Coke From Iconic Series,  Medium Size
Coke From Iconic Series,  Medium Size

Coke From Iconic Series, Medium Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Mr Donut, Kind of Blue, and V Triptych. From Iconic Series
Mr Donut, Kind of Blue, and V Triptych. From Iconic Series

Mr Donut, Kind of Blue, and V Triptych. From Iconic Series

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Color

Why Not From Iconic Series, Medium Size
Why Not From Iconic Series, Medium Size

Why Not From Iconic Series, Medium Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Marbella From Iconic Series, Large Size
Marbella From Iconic Series, Large Size

Marbella From Iconic Series, Large Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Mr Donut From Iconic Series, Large Size
Mr Donut From Iconic Series, Large Size

Mr Donut From Iconic Series, Large Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Safari From Iconic Series, Large Size
Safari From Iconic Series, Large Size

Safari From Iconic Series, Large Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Kind of Blue From Iconic Series, Medium Size
Kind of Blue From Iconic Series, Medium Size

Kind of Blue From Iconic Series, Medium Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Color

V From Iconic Series, Large Size
V From Iconic Series, Large Size

V From Iconic Series, Large Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Yello. From Iconic Series, Medium Size
Yello. From Iconic Series, Medium Size

Yello. From Iconic Series, Medium Size

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The “Iconic” series was presented as part of the exhibition “Walk of Inspiration” showed in Stockholm in 2016. These vibrant unique color images are an homage to the “kitsch pop surr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Color

Materia set #15. From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Photographs
Materia set #15. From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Photographs

Materia set #15. From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Photographs

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia Set #10, From The Materia Series. Abstract Photographs
Materia Set #10, From The Materia Series. Abstract Photographs

Materia Set #10, From The Materia Series. Abstract Photographs

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia IX, VIII and XII, Triptych, From The Materia Series
Materia IX, VIII and XII, Triptych, From The Materia Series

Materia IX, VIII and XII, Triptych, From The Materia Series

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Set Materia VII, VI, III and V, From The Materia Series
Set Materia VII, VI, III and V, From The Materia Series

Set Materia VII, VI, III and V, From The Materia Series

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Set Materia VII, VIII, IX and I, From The Materia Series
Set Materia VII, VIII, IX and I, From The Materia Series

Set Materia VII, VIII, IX and I, From The Materia Series

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia II and IV, Diptych, From The Materia Series
Materia II and IV, Diptych, From The Materia Series

Materia II and IV, Diptych, From The Materia Series

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia XV, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia XV, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia XV, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia XIV, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia XIV, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia XIV, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia XIII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia XIII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia XIII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia XII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia XII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia XII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia XI, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia XI, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia XI, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia X, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia X, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia X, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia IX, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia IX, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia IX, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia VIII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia VIII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia VIII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Materia VII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph
Materia VII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

Materia VII, From The Series Materia, Abstract Limited Edition Color photograph

By Mikael Kenta

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The MATERIA series (2023)by Mikael Kenta is an exploration of the fluid boundary between rigid industrial material and the ethereal world of light. Born from an all-night session in ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Mikael Kenta Color Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

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Mikael Kenta color photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Mikael Kenta color photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of color photography to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, green, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Mikael Kenta in archival pigment print, pigment print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Mikael Kenta color photography, so small editions measuring 24 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jose Bassit, Ashley G. Garner, and Corinne Mariaud. Mikael Kenta color photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,200 and tops out at $9,300, while the average work can sell for $2,650.