PHILIPPE MORILLON BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1950, Philippe Morillon completed his studies in applied arts in 1970.
He began his career at an advertising agency (SNIP) with Jacques de Pindray and became a freelance illustrator in 1972.
He enjoyed a very active period as a painter-illustrator for advertising and the media, working in a “hyperrealist/pop” style using airbrush and acrylic on cardboard and canvas (commissions and personal works). He created numerous posters, book covers, record sleeves, and press illustrations.
He designed the poster and logo for the “Théâtre le Palace” in 1978.
In 1982, he published a book (Éditions Colona) titled “Ultra Lux” showcasing his work as an illustrator, with a preface by Andy Warhol and text by Yves Adrien.
He produced columns and photographs for Warhol’s “Interview” magazine.
As artistic director and graphic designer for the photography journal “Égoïste” from 1977 to 2001, he collaborated with Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, and Paolo Roversi.
Then, from 1992 to 1994, he served as artistic director for “Vogue” magazine, and later for “Le Monde des Débats”.
In 1997, he designed a catalog and logo for the Centre Georges Pompidou to mark the institution’s 20th anniversary.
He created the images for the Renault “Espace” advertising campaigns, which earned him a first prize from the Club des Directeurs Artistiques in 1998.
He worked with artists Pierre et Gilles from 2003 to 2015 (catalogs and the Musée du Jeu de Paume album published by Taschen in 2007, as well as digital post-production).
In early 2009, he published a photo album with Steidl, featuring a preface by Karl Lagerfeld, titled “Une dernière danse?” 1970/1980, the diary of a decade: a fashionable young artist photographing his friends and Parisian outings, capturing the transition from 1970s utopias to 1980s realities. The photographs were exhibited at Pierre Passebon’s Galerie du Passage, Galerie Véro-Daudat, Paris 2nd arrondissement, in September 2009.
He was appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in January 2012.
He exhibited the digital drawing series “Pastiches d’après Joseph Vernet” at Serge Aboukrat, Place de Furstenberg, Paris, in July 2012.
In June 2014, he held an exhibition at Pierre Passebon’s Galerie du Passage, Galerie Véro-Daudat in Paris, dedicated to “Papiers Peints & Wallpapers”. These limited-edition “artist” wallpapers feature 1980s figures such as Andy Warhol, Loulou de la Falaise, Pierre Bergé, and Diane de Beauvau-Craon; narrative in nature, they tell an anachronistic art history ranging from Jackson Pollock and Donald Judd to 5th-century BC Greek vases. These wallpapers were exhibited in January 2016 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs on Rue de Rivoli in Paris for the “Faire le Mur” exhibition, dedicated to three centuries of wallpaper.
In May 2016, he published an artist’s book, “Daydreaming/Nightclubbing”, in a limited edition of 120 copies with the(M)éditions, featuring a preface by Pierre Bergé. This book contains previously unpublished photographs from the 1980s and a diary written by the author about the Palace era and his youth.
In October 2017, he exhibited prints of his hyperrealist illustrations from the 70s and 80s, along with an artist’s book dedicated to illustrations and paintings: “80’ “, a box set published in 100 copies by the(M)éditions, at Pierre Passebon, 26 Galerie Véro-Daudat, Paris 75001.
In December 2017, he exhibited “Au Palace ce soir”, a selection of 1980s photographs, at Galerie de la Clé, 23 Rue Michel le Comte, Paris 75003. In February 2019, at the same gallery, he held an exhibition dedicated to Andy Warhol: “Accrochage Warhol (2)”, featuring pastiches, silkscreens, photographs, drawings, and wallpapers.
In September 2019, he exhibited an artist’s book titled “Andy by Philippe”, featuring pastiches after Andy Warhol, at Pierre Passebon’s Galerie du Passage. Published in a limited edition of 100 copies, including 20 deluxe copies with an original silkscreen.
In December 2019, he presented 1980s photo prints along with the book “Andy by Philippe” at Saint Laurent, 213 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75002.
Exhibition “Grace before Jones”, a group exhibition at the Nottingham Contemporary Museum, UK, from May 15, 2020, to March 18, 2021. Exhibition of six photographs and one illustration from the 1980s.
Exhibition of 36 photo prints from the 1980s at Hôtel Jules & Jim, 11 Rue des Gravilliers, Paris 3rd arrondissement. From December 17, 2021, to February 26, 2022.
Exhibition of digital paintings “Diapositives” at Galerie de la Clé, Rue Michel le Comte, from January 20, 2022, to March 20, 2022.
Exhibition of 1980s photographs at Galerie 90, Marché Biron (85 Rue des Rosiers, Saint-Ouen), from May 12, 2022, to December 30, 2022.
“The 80s: Fashion, Design & Graphic Design in France”, an exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001. Exhibition of photographs, original illustrations, and a poster for the Théâtre le Palace. From October 12, 2022, to April 16, 2023.
“Gold: The Ors of Yves Saint Laurent” at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, 5 Avenue Marceau, Paris 16th arrondissement. The museum is presenting 12 photographs from the 1980s. From October 13, 2022, to May 14, 2023.
Exhibition “Eighties Fever” at Galerie de la Clé, 23 Rue Michel le Conte, Paris 3rd arrondissement. A selection of photographs from the 1980s. From November 9 to December 16, 2023.
Exhibition “Philippe Morillon through the eyes of Diane de Beauvau-Craon” at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, 6 Avenue Hoche, Paris 75008, in September 2024. Photographs and paintings.
Exhibition “Disco: I’m Coming Out” at the Philharmonie de Paris, 221 Avenue Jean Jaurès
75019 Paris 19, from February 14 to August 17, 2025. Original paintings & illustrations from the period.