Marcus Schwier

Marcus Schwier studied architecture at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, earning his Diplom-Ingenieur degree before continuing his education at the Düsseldorf Art Academy (1993–1998) under Ernst Kasper, with a focus on photography. His mentor was Erwin Heerich.
Since the mid-1990s, Schwier has worked as a photographic artist, presenting his work in leading museums and galleries worldwide. Recent exhibitions include Kunsthalle Düsseldorf (2025), Museum Ratingen (2019), Kunstmuseum Ravensburg (2018), Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen (2017), and Kunsthalle Nürnberg (2016).

Photographer & Visual Artist

He has participated in numerous international artist residencies and received travel grants, including at Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris (2004/2014), Scotland Arts Trust, Shetland (2005), and New York (2011). In 2021/22, Schwier joined a collaborative residency program with the National Museum of Contemporary History (MNZS), Ljubljana, Galeria Labirynt, Lublin, and the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMST). Beyond photography, Schwier explores interdisciplinary and experimental building projects. His large-scale public artworks include 40 wall-sized pieces for Santander Bank headquarters in Mönchengladbach (2006), spatial installations for the Düsseldorf Pavilion at World Expo Shanghai (2010), a 6 × 11 meter lightbox for the German Pavilion at Janadriyah Festival (2016), and a major installation at Ratingen Town Hall (2020). From 2000 to 2002, Schwier taught photography at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf. Today, he lives and works in Düsseldorf and on Lake Constance. Since 1998, Marcus Schwier has published over twenty photography books. His work is regularly exhibited and featured in leading international newspapers and magazines.

Which visual mediums do you use?

Photography

How did you get started in this?

Studies at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, Germany

Do you have a particular area of interest or genre you’re interested in?

Architectural photography — I’m fascinated by spaces and rooms.

Who and/or what inspires you most?

Museum exhibitions featuring contemporary art

What Datacolor color management tools are in your work bag/workspace?
Spyder for monitor calibration, Spyder Cube, Spyder Checkr Photo

What do you like about it?
It’s an easy-to-use and hassle-free essential for accurate color representation.

How does it help you realize your creative vision?

The reliable assurance of color accuracy with Datacolor tools saves me a lot of work and proofing when creating print materials and during the proofing process.

Why is accurate color important within your workflow?

This ensures that photos are edited with accurate colors and sent to external labs for color-accurate prints. I’ve been working with calibrated monitors since I started shooting digitally in 2007.