Michel François uses an economy of means to transform seemingly uncomplicated objects and materials, or traces of past events, into deeply resonant carriers of meaning. His sculptures can be seen as an exploration of cause and effect, and the ways in which simple gestures can change the status of an object or have important consequences.
Among countless international exhibitions, he has presented projects at the Havana Biennial (2015), the Belgian Pavilion at the 48th Venice Biennale (1999), the 22nd São Paulo Biennial (1994) and documenta IX in Kassel (1992). He has had solo exhibitions at Bozar, Brussels; Ikon Gallery, Birmingham; S.M.A.K., Ghent; Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona; Kunsthalle Bern, Bern, Haus der Kunst, Munich. He has participated in group exhibitions at venues such as Museu de Arte Moderna, Rio de Janeiro; Tapei Fine Art Museum, Taipei; Centre Pompidou-Metz, Metz; Jeu de Paume, Paris; Haus der Kunst, Munich; Centre Pompidou, Paris; and Fondation Hermès, Brussels.
Selected Works
Michel François
Spring Steel Drawing, 2025
Steel frame, spring steel, magnets
322 × 284 cm
Michel François
Instant Drawing, 2025
Untreated lump of coal
36 × 21 × 11 cm
Michel François
Peinture d’usure, 2024
Sanding paper, oil paint
136 × 85 cm
Michel François
Enroulement, 2024
steel, aluminum, magnetic spheres
81,5 × 81,5 × 12,5 cm
Michel François
Untitled (Drawing), 2024
Drawing
107 × 73 cm
Michel François
Instantané, 2023
Concrete, metal, plastic, plaster, clay
33 × 40 cm
Michel François
Instant Gratification
Bronze
104 × 169 cm
Michel François
Untitled, 2023
Bronze, sweater, silver photography
variable dimensions
Michel François
Enroulement, 2021
ink on paper
6 × 50 cm
Michel François
Endless Drawing (golden leaf), 2020
Steel, magnetic balls
146 × 35 × 6 cm
Michel François
Unchained, 2018
Oxidated and brushed iron
30 × 33 × 62 cm
unique
Michel François
Froissé, 2015
aluminum cast
120 × 90 × 15 cm
unique edition
c|g Exhibitions
Escenas de Abandono | Madrid
17.01.–22.02.2025
The Invisible Structure of the Universe: Part II | Berlin
26.04.–22.06.2024
Standing | Berlin
05.03.–21.04.2022
8/XXX | Berlin
20.11.2021–23.02.2022
A Very Brief Eternity | Madrid
10.09.–28.11.2020
So what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? | Madrid
27.02.–01.03.2020
Une Hétérotopie | Berlin
09.06.–15.09.2018
The Extended Moment | Berlin
14.01.–04.03.2017
Memory Palaces | Berlin
03.05.–07.06.2014
Pieces of Evidence | Berlin
27.04.–01.06.2013
Michel François | Berlin
11.12.2010–29.01.2011
Sculpture Show | Berlin
29.09.–11.11.2006
Déjà-vu | Berlin
20.01.–20.03.2004
Autoportrait contre nature | Berlin
21.05.–22.06.2002
External Exhibitions
Installation
L’Aire d’un Souffle | Esplanade Solidarność, Ixelles
Solo Exhibition
Michel François | Bozar Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels
16.03.–21.07.2023
Solo Exhibition
Michel François | Yarat Contemporary Art Center, Baku
17.03.–14.10.2022
Solo Exhibition
Panoptique | Halle Verrière and Centre International d'Art Verrier, Meisenthal
03.07.–19.09.2021
Solo Exhibition
Michel François | The Sculpture Park, Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
11.01.2019–11.09.2021
Duo Exhibition
Tierra Vaga | Casa Wabi Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
16.02.–31.12.2016
Group Exhibition
Faux Jumeaux 1 | S.M.A.K, Gent
17.10.2008–10.01.2009
Solo Exhibition
Déjà vu | De Pont Museum, Tilburg
05.06.–26.09.2004
Duo Exhibition
Horror Vacui – Biennale Arte 1999 | The Belgian Pavilion, Venice
13.06.–17.11.1999
