David Bowie: Creating a Visual Persona
Heathen, 2001 · GQ, 2002
Two projects, months apart: the session for the cover of Heathen, built on Bowie’s own concept, and the GQ images that placed him among wolves.
Photography
Markus Klinko
Music, Fashion & the Making of Icons
Swiss, born 1961
Markus Klinko creates photographs at the intersection of music, fashion and popular culture. From David Bowie and Beyoncé to a new generation of performers, his carefully staged images explore how a portrait becomes part of an artist’s public identity.
Selected Photographs
A selection of Markus Klinko’s photographs at Markowicz Fine Art. Formats and editions are detailed on each work’s page.
Explore the Photographs
Ways into the photographs, grouped by subject. These are editorial groupings by Markowicz Fine Art, not series defined by the artist.
Behind the Images
How two of Markus Klinko’s best-known images came about, from the photographer’s own accounts and the documents of the time.
Discover the story →
Beyoncé: The Making of Dangerously in Love
Dangerously in Love, 2003
A reference to an earlier diamond campaign, a top found in the wardrobe and a last-minute switch to denim: how the album cover took shape.
Markus Klinko & Markowicz Fine Art
Icons: Bowie to Beyoncé
Dallas, 2023
Markowicz Fine Art presented Icons: Bowie to Beyoncé at its Dallas gallery in 2023, bringing together photographs from Markus Klinko’s work across music, fashion and celebrity portraiture. Explore the exhibition archive and contact our team for information about the photographs featured in our current selection.
Installation view, Icons · Bowie to Beyoncé, Markowicz Fine Art, Dallas, 2023
News & Selected Press
Exhibitions, publications and press involving Markus Klinko, organized by other galleries and publishers.
Exhibition · Summer 2026 · Oana Ivan Gallery, Paris
Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love Portrait on Display in Paris
A monumental presentation in Paris revisited Markus Klinko’s 2003 portrait of Beyoncé for Dangerously in Love.
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Exhibition · September 17–30, 2026 · BR[A]ARTS, Uccle, Belgium
Markus Klinko and Tom Colaux Exhibited Together in Belgium
A September exhibition at BR[A]ARTS brought Markus Klinko’s photography into conversation with the work of artist Tom Colaux.
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Editorial photography · 2026 · NYLON FranceMarkus Klinko Photographs FLO for NYLON France
Exhibition · June–July 2026 · GADCOLLECTION, ParisDialogue: Markus Klinko at GADCOLLECTION in Paris
Exhibition · January 3–February 28, 2026 · LICHT FELD Gallery, BaselDavid Bowie Through Markus Klinko’s Lens in Basel
Press release · November 7, 2025 · Atlantic RecordsMarkus Klinko’s Kehlani Photography Featured by Atlantic Records
Biography
Born in Switzerland, Markus Klinko trained as a classical harpist at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. He recorded for EMI Classics, received the Grand Prix du Disque and performed internationally until a hand injury ended his musical career in 1994.
Turning to photography, he drew the attention of Isabella Blow, Ingrid Sischy, Iman and David Bowie. His photographs became the covers of David Bowie’s Heathen (2002), Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love (2003) and Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi (2005).
His editorial work has appeared in magazines including GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and Interview, and his advertising clients have included Lancôme, L’Oréal Paris and Nike. His subjects range from Iman, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige to a newer generation of performers, among them Billie Eilish, Ice Spice and FLO.
Exhibitions & art fairs
Galleries
- MARKUS KLINKO "ICONS – BOWIE TO BEYONCÉMFA · Jun 2023 – Jul 2023