I am the oldest of five brothers. The next born son of my parents lived for only several days. The next son was stillborn and the next was miscarried late in the third trimester. The cause of each of these tragedies was traced to genetic abnormalities. My youngest brother, Richard, eventually succumbed to complications associated with two separate bouts of lymphatic cancer. He lived until he was 32 years of age.
There is a tremendous amount of pain and guilt associated with these horrendous endings. It is almost impossible to eliminate or even subdue the feelings that something could have been done differently or avoided. Unfortunately, these feelings are amplified in my family. My mother, Kimiko Takaki, was eleven years old on August 9th, 1945 and living in Sasebo, Japan, which is about 45 miles away from the atomic bomb blast in Nagasaki that fateful day. About half of the 80 thousand deaths from the attack on Nagasaki occurred in the first day, while the other half of the deaths occurred from radiation sickness and burns in the following few months. Realistically, the ultimate death toll is at least ten times higher when you approximate the longterm effects of severe, acute exposure to gamma radiation. My mother and each of her four siblings died of rare genetic disorders and/or cancer at ages much younger than the median life expectancy.
I remain hyper-vigilant towards my own cancer diagnosis and exhibit my own feelings of survivor’s guilt. These feelings and family history and experiences drive my artistic hand.
Michael Koerner (Okinawa, Japan, 1963) is the oldest of five brothers. Due to genetic abnormalities and cancer, he is the only remaining living son. His brothers' fates (and potentially his own one day) can be linked to their mother, who was eleven years old on August 9, 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. She lived in Sasebo, Japan, 45 miles away from the blast. The long-term effects of severe, acute exposure to gamma radiation led to his mother’s death at an early age, and all of his brothers. Koerner’s work explores his family history and genetics through small tintypes, using photographic chemistry to assimilate the bursts and biochemical fallout from the atom bomb.
All images are a unique collodion on tin. Sizes are 6 x 4" (and smaller), 8 x 6", or 9 x 6". Pieces range in price from $1400 to $3200, depending on the size.
Please call: (312) 266-2350 for prices of specific pieces.
Prices are print only unless otherwise indicated.
BOmeTANICAL #0092, 2015
Michael Koerner, BOmeTANICAL #0092, 2015
From the Miscellaneous series
9 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Congregation #8161, 2019
Michael Koerner, Congregation #8161, 2019
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9866, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9866, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9870, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9870, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9887, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9887, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9892, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9892, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9895, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9895, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9903, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9903, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Coronae #9907, 2017
Michael Koerner, Coronae #9907, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Diminish #7330, 2018
Michael Koerner, Diminish #7330, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Diminish #7615, 2018
Michael Koerner, Diminish #7615, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #1321L - #1319R, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #1321L - #1319R, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #4652L - #4656R, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #4652L - #4656R, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #7262L - #7266R, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #7262L - #7266R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #7282L - #7278R, 2018
Michael Koerner, DNA #7282L - #7278R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #7793L - #7789R, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #7793L - #7789R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #7797L - #7801R, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #7797L - #7801R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #7805L - #7810R, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #7805L - #7810R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #7819L - #7814R, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA #7819L - #7814R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
DNA #7832L - #7836R, 2018
Michael Koerner, DNA #7832L - #7836R, 2018
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #8177L - #8181R, 2019
Michael Koerner, DNA #8177L - #8181R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #8185L - #8189R, 2019
Michael Koerner, DNA #8185L - #8189R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #8232L - #8236R, 2019
Michael Koerner, DNA #8232L - #8236R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #8259L - #8263R, 2019
Michael Koerner, DNA #8259L - #8263R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #8282L - #8286R, 2019
Michael Koerner, DNA #8282L - #8286R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA #8313L - #8309R, 2019
Michael Koerner, DNA #8313L - #8309R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
DNA Tears #8337L - #8333R, 2019
sold
Michael Koerner, DNA Tears #8337L - #8333R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Finger Prints #6171, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6171, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Finger Prints #6175, 2018
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6175, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Finger Prints #6179, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6179, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Finger Prints #6183, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6183, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Finger Prints #6187, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6187, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Finger Prints #6191, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6191, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Finger Prints #6195, 2018
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6195, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Finger Prints #6242, 2018
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #6242, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Finger Prints #7596, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Finger Prints #7596, 2018
From the Finger Prints series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Fractal Orbs #1980, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, Fractal Orbs #1980, 2017
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion photogram on tin
Uniquesold
Furó #7643, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furó #7643, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Furó #7649, 2018
Michael Koerner, Furó #7649, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Furó #7655, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furó #7655, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Furó #7669, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furó #7669, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Furó #7694, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furó #7694, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Furó #7703, 2018
Michael Koerner, Furó #7703, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Furó #7709, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furó #7709, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Furó #7714, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furó #7714, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Furo #7870, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Furo #7870, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
uniquesold
Furo #7874, 2018
Michael Koerner, Furo #7874, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
unique
Furo #7886, 2018
Michael Koerner, Furo #7886, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
unique
Landscape #8149, 2019
Michael Koerner, Landscape #8149, 2019
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Leaf #6199, 2018
Michael Koerner, Leaf #6199, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Maru #7286, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Maru #7286, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Maru #7420, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Maru #7420, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Maru #7739, 2018
Michael Koerner, Maru #7739, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Maru #7745, 2018
Michael Koerner, Maru #7745, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Maru #7750, 2018
Michael Koerner, Maru #7750, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Maru 5 Brothers #7729, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Maru 5 Brothers #7729, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
MK Gene #1933L - #1929R, 2017
Michael Koerner, MK Gene #1933L - #1929R, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 4 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
MK Gene #1937L - #1941R, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, MK Gene #1937L - #1941R, 2017
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 4 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Phases #1450, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #1450, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #1456, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #1456, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4719, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4719, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4723, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, Phases #4723, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Phases #4728, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4728, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4732, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, Phases #4732, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Phases #4736, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4736, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4741, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4741, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4745, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4745, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4749, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4749, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Phases #4753, 2017
Michael Koerner, Phases #4753, 2017
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Pinnacle #7619, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Pinnacle #7619, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Primordial #0071, 2015
Michael Koerner, Primordial #0071, 2015
From the Miscellaneous series
9 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Richards Heart #4714, 2017
sold
Michael Koerner, Richards Heart #4714, 2017
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 9" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Rōji #7756, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Rōji #7756, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Rōji #7762, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Rōji #7762, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Rōji #7768, 2018
Michael Koerner, Rōji #7768, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Rōji #7785, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Rōji #7785, 2018
From the Furó / Maru / Rōji series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Shifted #6238, 2018
Michael Koerner, Shifted #6238, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Shifted #6246, 2018
Michael Koerner, Shifted #6246, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Shifted #7528, 2018
Michael Koerner, Shifted #7528, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Shoreline #7415, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Shoreline #7415, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Tears #8076, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8076, 2019
From the Tears series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8085, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8085, 2019
From the Tears series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8089, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8089, 2019
From the Tears series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8097, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8097, 2019
From the Tears series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8101, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8101, 2019
From the Tears series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8105, 2019
sold
Michael Koerner, Tears #8105, 2019
From the Tears series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Tears #8109, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8109, 2019
From the Tears series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8113, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8113, 2019
From the Tears series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears #8117, 2019
Michael Koerner, Tears #8117, 2019
From the Tears series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Tears DNA #8125L - #8121R, 2019
sold
Michael Koerner, Tears DNA #8125L - #8121R, 2019
From the Coronae / DNA series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Tendrilles #0031, 2015
Michael Koerner, Tendrilles #0031, 2015
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
9 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Tendrilles #0035, 2015
Michael Koerner, Tendrilles #0035, 2015
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
9 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Tendrilles #0043, 2015
Michael Koerner, Tendrilles #0043, 2015
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 9" collodion on tin
Unique
Tendrilles #0057, 2015
Michael Koerner, Tendrilles #0057, 2015
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
9 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Tendrilles #1119, 2015
sold
Michael Koerner, Tendrilles #1119, 2015
From the Phases / Tendrilles series
6 x 9" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
The Crucible #8157, 2019
sold
Michael Koerner, The Crucible #8157, 2019
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Three Sisters #860, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Three Sisters #860, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
uniquesold
-1296-2017.jpg)
Twins (And That Other One) #1296, 2017
Michael Koerner, Twins (And That Other One) #1296, 2017
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Untitled #7433, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7433, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Untitled #7438, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7438, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Untitled #7898, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7898, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
uniquesold
Untitled #7902, 2018
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7902, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
unique
Untitled #7906, 2018
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7906, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
unique
Untitled #7910, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7910, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
uniquesold
Untitled #7913, 2018
Michael Koerner, Untitled #7913, 2018
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
unique
Untitled #8169, 2019
Michael Koerner, Untitled #8169, 2019
From the Miscellaneous series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Untitled #8173, 2019
Michael Koerner, Untitled #8173, 2019
From the Miscellaneous series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Waterfalls #6203L - #6210R, 2018
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6203L - #6210R, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
2] 8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Waterfalls #6214, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6214, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #6218, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6218, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #6222, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6222, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #6226, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6226, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #6230, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6230, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #6234, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #6234, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #7290, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7290, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #7342, 2018
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7342, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Unique
Waterfalls #7346, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7346, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #7351, 2018
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7351, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Waterfalls #7401, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7401, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #7458, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7458, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Waterfalls #7462, 2018
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7462, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Waterfalls #7548, 2018
sold
Michael Koerner, Waterfalls #7548, 2018
From the Waterfalls series
6 x 8" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Wicca Signs, Familiar #0104, 2015
Michael Koerner, Wicca Signs, Familiar #0104, 2015
From the Wicca Signs / Wrinkles in Time series
6 x 9" collodion on tin
Unique
Wicca Signs, Gathering #0121, 2015
Michael Koerner, Wicca Signs, Gathering #0121, 2015
From the Wicca Signs / Wrinkles in Time series
6 x 9" collodion on tin
Unique
Wicca Signs, Spider #0108, 2015
sold
Michael Koerner, Wicca Signs, Spider #0108, 2015
From the Wicca Signs / Wrinkles in Time series
6 x 9" collodion on tin
Uniquesold
Wrinkles In Time #9934, 2017
Michael Koerner, Wrinkles In Time #9934, 2017
From the Wicca Signs / Wrinkles in Time series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Wrinkles In Time #9947, 2017
Michael Koerner, Wrinkles In Time #9947, 2017
From the Wicca Signs / Wrinkles in Time series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique
Wrinkles In Time #9972, 2017
Michael Koerner, Wrinkles In Time #9972, 2017
From the Wicca Signs / Wrinkles in Time series
8 x 6" collodion on tin
Unique