Lionel Machris

Lionel Machris (born 1967 in Hamburg) is an interdisciplinary artist who blends photography and painting into a style that’s completely his own. His work is experimental yet emotionally approachable, combining precise craftsmanship with layered symbolic meaning.
After studying at HFBK Hamburg and spending time in Paris and Milan, his work is now shown internationally. Exhibitions in Germany and abroad — along with his ongoing exploration of human existence and perception — make Machris an exciting voice in today’s contemporary art scene.
One highlight of his practice is the 24-karat gold series, which he has been creating since 2017. For Machris, art is a way to make emotions visible, build connections, and create something that truly lasts.

After graduating high school with a focus on artistic photography, Machris trained as a photographer and later joined HFBK Hamburg as a guest student, exploring art, painting, and graphic design.
In 1989 he packed his bags and moved to Paris, working as a freelance photo assistant for top international fashion and beauty photographers. This is where he really dove into developing his own experimental visual style. A few years later, in 1992, he moved on to Milan, shooting fashion and beauty campaigns for major magazines and well-known global brands — and photographing a long list of notable personalities from the art, culture, and sports worlds.
Even while working commercially, Machris never stopped creating personal art projects. His pieces have been published in art books, shown in exhibitions across the globe, and featured in numerous group shows.
To Machris, art is a way to spark imagination, inspire, and push boundaries — and that energy is present in everything he makes.

2001 - 2023 - various - 2024 International Art Award /IAA, selected as finalist 2023/2024 - IAA New Generations, Hong Art Museum - „Trancendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture“ Chongqing / China 2023 November 28 - 2024 Februar 28th, Mark Rothko Museum, Daugavpils / Latvija, December 07. - 2024 January 23th, Toolip Art Gallery Budapest/ Hungary, 2024 March 01 - May 01th, „Budapest is the new black“, Casa del Arte, Palma de Mallorca/Spain, 2024 April 01-30th, Cipriate Gallery, Venice/Italy 2024 April 10-30th, Nicoletta Gallery Berlin Berlin/Germany, 2024 May 01-31th, Andakulova Gallery Dubai/United Arabic Emirates 2025 May 01-31th, Toolip Art Gallery, Budapest/ Hungary, 2024 November 05-December 05 „Heroes“ 2025 Casa del Arte - „Raw Expressions“, Palma de Mallorca/Spain, 2025 March 18. - Mai 02. Galerie Michael Martens - „24 Karat“ Sylt/Germany, 2025 June 07-29th, Solo exhibition, Art Bar Grenada Gallery, Grenada/Caribbean Islands 2025 July 01-31th, Andakulova Gallery Dubai/United Arabic Emirates 2025 September 01-30th