Michel Ajerstejn is a French artist born in the district of Belleville, Paris in the 1950s. He trained at the School of Fine Arts and Design in Paris.

His artistic career began with the traditional medium of paint but he soon discovered the possibilities afforded by photography. Through a chance encounter with the internationally acclaimed photographer Willy Ronis, Michel’s fascination with this medium was awakened and he soon began to explore the wide variety of techniques and potential manipulations of the photographic arts.
Michel’s current oeuvre is the result of a mixed media technique in which the artist “artist painter photographer” transposes an urban scene onto his choice of material (in this case metallic photographic paper, translucent wired glass and Plexiglas, stainless steel, aluminium and wood).

The blending of a variety of techniques and the diversity of the materials used give the works an additional level of complexity. The photograph, removed from its initial context is developed on different plates and industrial or photo-specific paper, via a digital process. In some areas Michel applies paint by hand or adds a screen print to the glass plates or Plexiglas.

Michel also uses lettering and typography in his work. The use of letters and numbers adds a further dimension to his work. The photograph becomes a vehicle for ‘a true artistic motif’, that of the written word.
Michel Ajerstejn’s work offers the viewer urban scenes which are both expressive and reflective of contemporary society. He superimposes the graphic prints and texts to create tableaux that are both powerful and pervasive. The layers in urban life are made visible in Michel’s work, no city is a singular place, different areas and districts have their own personalities and atmosphere. In Michel’s work the viewer is captivated by the poetic vision of the artist, we can identify ourselves with the seemingly anonymous figures that walk by. Each and everyone of us has experienced that fleeting moment of recognition – a stranger passes you in the street and you are sure you have met before. Michel captures that transitory moment and offers us the opportunity to connect with those who have passed us by.

2012 Fiumano Fine Art, London & New York

2011 Art Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe

2011 Galerie de Fleuve, Paris & Lonodn

2010 Art Curial, Paris

2010 Galerie de Fleuve, Paris & London

2010 MAC 2000, Paris

2009 MAC 2000, Paris

2008 La Mainson du Verre, Paris

2007 Perrin La Royere. Versailles

2007 La Maisno du Verre, Paris

2006 Perrin La Royere, Versailles

2005 Gallery de Fleuvre, Paris

2003 Lavignes - Bastille, Paris

2002 Ecart International, Paris

1999 Realites Nouvelles, Paris

1998 Exposition d'Art, Montrouge