Bio

Muriel Pénicaud is a French photographer, author and committed advocate. Passionate about photography since the age of 11, she has developed a humanistic and poetic approach inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson's maxim: "Photographing is putting one’s head, eye, and heart on the same line of sight." Her photographic vision harvests the ephemeral, reveals the invisible, tames the world's contradictions, and awakens the imagination. Each image creates an intimate connection with the viewer, whether it's the flight of a bird, the depth of a gaze, the meaning of a gesture, the soul of trees, or women's freedom, reflecting her quest for wonder and her social commitment. Through her series Wind under the Wings, Wind into the Soul, Wind into the Roots, Wind into the Heart, Life is Red, Touch & Feel, Shaping the Future and Jeux de Mains she explores universal themes such as origins, roots, nature, freedom, and the quest for meaning. Exhibited internationally (Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, Pondicherry, Dakar, Barcelona, Athens), she published her first monograph Matrix of Worlds with SKIRA in 2024, prefaced by photographer REZA. This monograph highlights her humanistic and poetic photographic practice, offering a curious, sensitive, and engaged perspective. She is pleased to present her work for the first time at the 11th edition of the Indian Photo Festival in Hyderabad. Overall global winner of the 2024 Julia Margaret Cameron Award, which celebrates women photographers worldwide, as well as four other international distinctions, Muriel Pénicaud also serves as president of the jury for four photography competitions (Immersion/s fair for Exceptional Artisans, Regard - La Puissance du Lien Award , Puissance du lien par Sakura Award, Jeunes d'Avenir Photography Award "Imagine Your Future” ). She is the author of several other books, including her latest essay "Engagée" (Humensis, 2023) on her personal and professional commitment, and "Travailler Demain" (Glénat, 2025), a documentary-fiction about the future of work in graphic novel form. She is also founder and president of the Sakura Foundation, dedicated to supporting emerging artists focused on major societal issues. Former French Minister of Labor, ambassador, and business executive, she continues her commitments in favor of women, youth, and art.