TITLE: Le bâtisseur /The Builder, 2014, Usine d'Evian/ Evian's factory, France

The constructions, materials, and objects are a reflection of the soul. It has always been obvious to me. When I was a child, I gave a name to my record player, my cactus, my pen. Later, I discovered the symbolic and ritual power of objects that have existed for tens of thousands of years. Today I see the lines of force, light, density of everything created by nature or man. What if we looked at things differently? Beauty does not need justifications.

Those who look at this picture see a stifling urban landscape, like the megacities of China or America, pierced by a light of hope. This is what I felt and wanted to express. But upon closer inspection, they understand that it is a set of pallets in an industrial warehouse. I enjoy seeing their surprise when they discover that photography does not pretend to tell the truth, and that the meaning lies in the photographer’s gaze and in the viewer’s eyes. The gaze is everything.

AUTHOR: Muriel Penicaud (France)

Muriel Pénicaud is a French photographer, author, speaker, business leader, and committed woman. Her passion for photography began at the age of 11 with a black-and-white Polaroid, where she discovered the art of framing and composition. At 23, a pivotal encounter with censorship revealed to her the power of images and their profound impact. Since then, she has seamlessly combined her photographic practice with her societal and professional commitments.
Inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson's famous quote, "to photograph is to align the head, the eye, and the heart," Muriel Pénicaud embraces a deeply humanistic approach. Through her lens, she captures fleeting moments, unveils hidden beauty, navigates the world’s contradictions, sparks the imagination, and creates a deep connection between the viewer and the image.
Her photographs, whether capturing the flight of a bird, the depth of a gaze, the significance of a gesture, the soul of trees, or the liberation of women, reflect her quest for wonder and her societal engagement. Her piezography prints reveal deep blacks from which light emerges.
With series like "Wind under the Wings", "Wind into the Soul", and "Wind into the Roots", she explores powerful themes such as origins, roots, nature, freedom, and the search for meaning. These works have been exhibited in Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, Haute-Marne, Yvelines, and Vaucluse in France.
In 2024, the Collège des Bernardins hosted a monographic exhibition, "Matrice des Mondes". Muriel Penicaud was also featured in the Photo Days festival in Paris, where her work on displayed at We Are. That same year, the renowned publisher SKIRA releases her first photography book, "Matrix of Worlds", a monograph showcasing 150 of her images. Featuring an introduction by photographer REZA, this monograph highlights her humanistic and poetic photographic practice, offering a sensitive, engaged, and curious perspective.
Her upcoming exhibitions are scheduled in Paris, Barcelona, and Pondicherry in 2025. Overall global winner of the 2024 Julia Margaret Cameron Award which celebrates women photographers, she serves as a chair of the jury for two photography contests Immersion/s Craftmen’s art fair of art and the Regard - La Puissance du Lien award. Muriel Pénicaud is also the founder and president of the Sakura Foundation, dedicated to supporting emerging artists engaged in societal issues.
She is also the author of several books, including her latest essay, "Engagée" (Humensis, 2023), which reflects on her personal and professional commitment.
Former French Minister of Labour, Ambassador, and Chief Executive Officer, she now serves on the boards of directors of international companies and NGOs, while remaining actively involved in initiatives supporting women, youth, and art.