Michael Birchall

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Introduction

Dr Michael Birchall is a curator, writer, and Professor of Exhibiting, Curating and Mediating in Contemporary Art at the Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki.

His curatorial practice is grounded in collaboration, critical inquiry, and a commitment to fostering dialogues between global art histories and local communities.

He was previously Co-Director — Exhibitions at the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, where he led a programme of exhibitions, commissions, and publications. Recent exhibitions include Haegue Yang – Leap Year (2025), Dineo Seshee Raisibe Bopape – (ka) pheko ye – the dream to come (2024), Tarek Lakhrissi – Bliss (2024), and Interdependencies: Perspectives on Care and Resilience (2024).

Birchall has held curatorial positions at Tate Liverpool, Künstlerhaus Stuttgart, and at The Banff Centre. He has edited and contributed to a wide range of catalogues and journals, and is currently preparing a book on artistic labour and collaboration for Routledge.