Sarah Moon

About

Lives and works in Paris, France

Sarah Moon’s practice unfolds as a poetic quest in which photography becomes a medium of fiction, an arena of detachment from reality. Her images, often veiled in blur, evoke unstable narratives that seem to arise from dreams rather than daily life. Long exposures, erasures, grainy textures, and desaturated colors form a distinctive aesthetic, where documentary exactness yields to imagination. Once a model and later a fashion photographer, Sarah Moon redefined the codes of a world built on appearances by privileging suggestion, concealment, and the ephemeral. Whether fashion, portraiture, or landscape, her photographs do not seek to show but to hint, to open a space of uncertainty. Beyond still imagery, she has also turned to film, creating short works often inspired by folktales or ancient stories. Across her oeuvre, the same intent persists: not to capture reality, but to invent another logic that is more fragile and sensitive.

Born in 1941 in Vernon, Sarah Moon lives and works in Paris. After a career as a model, she devoted herself fully to photography in the 1970s, rapidly establishing an unmistakable aesthetic. She has collaborated with leading fashion houses and magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, while developing a body of artistic work presented in major institutions including the Centre Pompidou (Paris), the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (Paris), the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Fotografiska (Stockholm), and the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Her works now belong to leading international collections. In 2025, she was awarded the Grand Prix of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris for her career.

CV

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SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

The Red Thread, Gallery of Modern Art MOB, Bydgoszcz, Poland (2024)
El tiempo se detiene, Foto Colectania, Barcelona, Spain (2024)
Sarah Moon, Galería Alta, Anyós, Andorra (2023)
Ailleurs est ce qui arrive, Maison de la Photographie, Moscow, Russia (2021)
PasséPrésent, Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Paris, France (2021)
FORME, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2020)
Fragments d’un Paradis, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2020)
Time at work, Fondation Carla Sozzani, Milan, Italy (2019)
From one season to another, Fondation Armani/Silos, Milan, Italy (2019)
The transcendence of fashion, Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica, USA (2019)
Paper works, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2018)
D’un jour à l’autre, Chanel Nexus Hall, Tokyo, Japan (2018)
Now and Then, Here Today, Museo Patio Herreriano – Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Español, Valladolid, Spain (2017)
From a Season to Another, Maison de la Photographie, Moscow, Russia (2017)
Ici et Maintenant, Palazetto Eucherio Sanvitale, Parma, Italy (2016)
Late Fall, Kyotographie, Gallery Sugata, Kyoto, Japan (2016)
Time Stands Still, Kyotographie, Mirei Shigemori Residence, Kyoto, Japan (2016)
1.2.3.4.5., Kahitsukan, Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art, Kyoto, Japan (2016)
Now and Then, Galerie Akio Nagasawa, Tokyo, Japan (2015)
L’arrière-saison, Festival Photo La Gacilly, La Gacilly, France (2015)
Aperçu, Galerie Persiehl & Heine, Hamburg, Germany (2015)
Now and Then, Deichtor Hallen Internationale Kunst und Photografie, Hamburg, Germany (2015)
A Tribute to Mariano Fortuny, Palazzo Fortuny, Venice, Italy (2015)
Pour le plaisir de voir…ou de revoir, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2014)
About color, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2014)
Alchimies, Musée Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy (2014)
Alchimies, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (2013)
Eloge de la miniature, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2012)
L’art de voir les choses, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2012)
Now and Then, Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York City, USA (2012)
The Black Hood, Moscow House of Photography, Moscow, Russia (2012)
Les Fables, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2011)
Solo Exhibition, Musée Le Botanique, Brussels, Belgium (2011)
Solo Exhibition, Théâtre de la Photographie et de l’Image Charles Nègre, Nice, France (2011)
Solo Exhibition, Fotografiska Museet, Stockholm, Sweden (2010)
Solo Exhibition, Maison René Char, Isle sur la Sorgue, France (2010)
Le Théatre Royal de Turin, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, France (2010)
C’est l’été, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2009)
Solo Exhibition, Galerie Zur Stockeregg, Zürich, Switzerland (2009)
1.2.3.4.5., Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2008)
1.2.3.4.5., Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2008)
Rétrospective, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, France (2008)
Circus, Leica Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2008)
Circus, Galerie Stefan de Jaeger et Alain d’Hooghe, Paris, France (2007)
Sarah Moon, Photographier/Filmer, Galerie du Jeu de Paume, Paris, France (2006)
L’effraie et autres oiseaux, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2005)
Circus, Carré Amelot, Espace Culturel de la Ville de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France (2005)
Circus, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2005)
Solo Exhibition, Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York City, USA (2004)
Solo Exhibition, Kahitsukan – Musée d’Art Moderne, Kyoto, Japan (2004)
Solo Exhibition, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, France (2003)
Sarah Moon, Hôtel des Arts, Toulon, France (2003)
Circus, Galerie Camera Obscura, Paris, France (2003)
Solo Exhibition, Carla Sozzani Gallery, Milan, Italy (2002)
Solo Exhibition, Kahitsukan – Musée d’Art Moderne, Kyoto, Japan (2002)
Still, Maison de la photographie, Moscow, Russia (2001)
Solo Exhibition, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2001)
Zelda Cheattle Gallery, London, UK (2001)
Solo Exhibition, Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York City, USA (2001)
Still, Weinstein Gallery, Minneapolis, USA (2000)
Solo Exhibition, Jane Corkin Gallery, Toronto, Canada (1999)
Solo Exhibition, Weinstein Gallery, Minneapolis, USA (1998)
Solo Exhibition, Camera Work Gallery, Berlin, Germany (1998)
Solo Exhibition, Navio Museum of Art, Osaka, Japan (1997)
Inventario, Université de Salamanque, Salamanca, Spain (1997)
Solo Exhibition, Association photographique, Tarbes, France (1997)
Solo Exhibition, Fotografie Forum, Frankfurt, Germany (1996)
Solo Exhibition, Carla Sozzani Gallery, Milan, Italy (1996)
Retrospective, Centre National de la Photographie, Paris, France (1995)
Solo Exhibition, Fotogaleria del Teatro San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina (1995)
Solo Exhibition, Koch Gallery, San Francisco, USA (1994)
Solo Exhibition, Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie, Arles, France (1994)
Solo Exhibition, Staley-Wise Gallery, New York City, USA (1993)
Solo Exhibition, Printemps Ginza, Tokyo, Japan (1989)
Solo Exhibition, International Center of Photography, New York City, USA (1983)
Souvenirs improbables, Galerie Delpire, Paris, France (1982)

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS & ART FAIRS
Tête à Tête: Rala Choi et Sarah Moon, Alzueta Gallery, Paris, France (2025)
This is how we look, is this who we are?, Alzueta Gallery, Barcelona, Spain (2024)
Her: The Great Women Photographers, Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica, USA (2024)
PARIS PHOTO, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Paris, France (2023)
PHOTO LONDON, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2023)
AIPAD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW, Michael Hoppen Gallery, New York City, USA (2023)
ART GENÈVE, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland (2023)
PARIS PHOTO, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Paris, France (2022)
MASTERPIECE LONDON, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2022)
AIPAD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW, Michael Hoppen Gallery, New York City, USA (2022)
ART GENÈVE, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland (2022)
PHOTO LONDON, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2021)
PHOTO LONDON, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Online Fair (2020)
ART GENÈVE, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland (2020)
AIPAD, Michael Hoppen Gallery, New York City, USA (2019)
ART GENÈVE, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland (2019)
PHOTO LONDON, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2018)
ART GENÈVE, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland (2018)
PARIS PHOTO, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Paris, France (2017)
PAD, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2016)
Menagerie, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2016)
ZONA MACO, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Mexico City, Mexico (2016)
PAD, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2015)
AIPAD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW, Michael Hoppen Gallery, New York City, USA (2015)
PAD, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London, UK (2014)
Festival de Bielsko-Bialo, Bielsko-Bialo, Poland (2006)
Clichy sans cliché, Clichy-sous-Bois, Francia (2006)
Photos de femmes, Museo Ken Damy, Brescia, Italy (2006)
Musée des Arts décorotifs, Paris, France (2006)
La Mode, Concert Hall, Athens, Greece (2005)
La Gueule du loup, Bibliothèque Fornay, Paris, France (2005)
Poupées, Halle Saint-Pierre, Paris, France (2004)
Vues d’enfance, École d’Art Glaude-Monet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France (2004)
May I Help You?, Maison européenne de la photographie, Paris, France (2002
Les Jardins du Centre, Azay-le-Rideau, France (2001)
Le Grand Album, Chalon-sur-Saône V Salon d’art contemporain, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, Paris, France (2000)
Photo contemporaine en France, Musée National d’Art Moderne, Paris, France (1997)
New Visions, Apertura Foundation, France (1996)
Vanités, Centre national de la photographie, Paris, France (1995)
Appearances, Victoria & Albert Muséum, London, UK (1992)
Botanica, Centre national de Ia photogrophie, Paris, France (1987)
Shots of Style, Victoria & Albert Muséum, London, UK (1985)
Fashion Photography, Stedejlik Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands (1980)

FILMOGRAPHY
Le montreur d’images: Robert Delpire – TV Movie (2009)
La Sirène D’auderville, Take Five Productions (2007)
Le fil rouge – short, Take Five Productions (2006)
L’effraie – short, Take Five Productions (2005)
Circuss – short, Take Five Productions (2003)
There’s Something… About Lillian – short, Franco American Films (2001)
«J’ai choisi cette photo…», Riff Productions (2000)
Lumière et compagnie – Long Metrage, Cinétévé (1995)
Contacts – TV Series [1 episode], KS Visions (1995)
Henri Cartier –Bresson: Point d’interrogation- short, Take Five productions (1995)
Contre l’oubli – Long Metrage, Amnesty International (1991)
Mississipi One – Long Metrage, Take Five Productions (1990)

AWARDS
Grand Prix de l’Académie des Beaux-Arts en Photographie, Paris, France (2025)
Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Society of Great Britain, London, UK (2018)
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Paris, France (2009)
Prix Nadar (1.2.3.4.5), France (2008)
Prix du public, Moscow, Russia (2007)
Prix culturel de la Société allemande de photographie, GMBPH, Berlin, Germany (2007)
Lucy Award, New York City, USA (2006)
Prix Martell, Shanghai, China (2005)
BFF Bund-Freischaffender-fotodesigner, Germany (1996)
Paris Retrospective Prize, National Centre of Photography, Paris, France (1995)
Fipa d’or (Contacts), Cannes, France (1994)
Prix du film de Femme, Long Metrage (Mississippi One), Marseille, France (1991)
Lion d’argent, Films Publicitaires, Cannes, France (1986, 1987, 1989)
Grande Prix du livre d’enfants, Bologne, Italy (1986)
Gold Award for Applied Photogrophy, International Center of Photography, New York City, USA (1985)
Cilo Award, New York City, USA (1984)
ASMP – Outstandin Archievement in Fashion Photography, New York City, USA (1983)
Grand Prix (toutes categories) Lion d’Or for, Films Cacharel, Cannes, France (1979)
Club des directeurs artistiques, París, France (1978)
D&DA et non pas DADA, New York City, USA (1972)