Built to Spill

Michael Kistler is a Hong Kong artist specializing in fine art street photography. Originally from Minneapolis, he started shooting on a compact Ricoh during his first trip to Europe at age 18. After many years of travel that included stints in Germany, Istanbul and Northern California, he settled in Tokyo, spending more than 10 years there before moving with his family to Hong Kong in 2014.

His time in Tokyo was instrumental to the development of his photographic style as he experimented with blur, movement and other abstract elements while drawing inspiration from street masters like Daido Moriyama and Saul Leiter. A signature hallmark of his work is the often abstract human element and its connection to the city; the urban landscape and its structures provide permanence while people come and go, creating a dynamic environment of fleeting moments. He is constantly searching for and exploring unconventional perspectives and unique moments where people and the urban landscape collide, merge and co-exist.

In addition to having his work exhibited in Tokyo, NYC, Astoria, Minneapolis, London, Dublin, Porto and Hong Kong, Michael offers street photography workshops in Hong Kong and has also done them in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, Dubai, Minneapolis, Dublin, Yangon, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to freelance street shoots, Michael also offers bespoke production and styling and location scouting for shoots in Hong Kong.

His work has been featured by Bamboo Scenes, Artaaps, Marie Claire, Felosophie, Sassy HK, The Honeycombers, The Global Fund for Children, Isthumus Journal, HK Tatler, Volcom, Vans HK, Cathay Pacific, Vogue Italy, Localiiz HK, Mobiography Magazine, Street Dreams Mag, Drkrms, HK Magazine, Zolima CityMag, Style-tips.com, The Wanderlister, China Daily and the South China Morning Post.

He has also donated select art pieces and workshops in support of Changing Young Lives Foundation, Teen's Key, Mother's Choice and AAJA Asia.