Michael J Berkowitz

1952, Brooklyn, New York, USA NYC based painter/sculptor/performance artist/and now photographer. Have travelled in some 90 countries in search of adventure and inspiration for my work.

Ive been taking photos almost all my life I took my first lessons with Alfred Eisenstadt, a family friend, when I was 15 -- however until fairly recently, it was painting, sculpting and performance pieces that spoke to me as an artist.

My work had always revolved around religious themes, and I have had a fair amount of renown in that field. (The work I did immediately prior to photography is in the permanent collection of The Jewish Museum, The Yeshiva University Museum and The Hebrew Union College, in addition to many other museums.) About 4 years ago, I picked up a book by Taschen, entitled, "Early Erotic Photography," nude photographs from the 1800's. I was so taken by the images that I purchased a large format camera, built a set in my studio, hired a model and took some photos. I was so pleased with the results, and the reaction of others to the images was so swift and strongly positive, I became hooked on photography. It felt as if I was doing exactly what I was meant to do. I have never looked back. In 2005, my...

Awards

2001 Second place award, New York Camera Club Annual Competition, juried by Andres Serrano
2002Winner PHOTO magazine (French) Annual International Competition

Group Exhibitions
2006 Daniel Cooney Fine Art, Benefit Auction for the Camera Club of NY
2006 Orbit gallery, Edgewater, NJ, Erotic show
2006 The Kinsey Institute, The Erotic Art Show, juried exhibition. Two photos acquired for the permanent collection, Traveling exhibition
2006 Projekt 30, The Sex Show, online juried exhibition
2006 Karyn Mannix Gallery, East Hampton, NY, Love and Passion art show
2006 Art @ Large, NY, NY, Tiny Fine Art Show
2005 Art @ Large, NY, NY group exhibition, Juried by Grady T. Turner
2004 Eleven East Ashland Gallery, Phoenix, AZ, For Adults Only
2003Art @ Large, NY, NY, group exhibition, Juried by Grady T. Turner
20042002 Leslie-Lohman Gallery, NY, NY, group exhibition
2002 Echo Gallery, Chicago, IL, Muse
2002 Texas Womans University, Denton, TX, Regarding Beauty
2002 Camera Club of NY, Annual Awards Exhibition, Juried by Andres Serrano
2002 Illuminance, 2002, Lubbock, Texas, Juried by Judy Dater
2001 Eleven East Ashland Gallery, Phoenix, AZ, For Adults Only
2001 Soho Photo Gall...