Erwin Olaf
Erwin Olaf is a Dutch photographer and artist born in 1959 in Hilversum. Commencing his career by documenting the nightlife of the 80’s, he later developed a cinematic style in his photography, employing theatrical mise-en-scene. Influenced by his travels and feelings of transience and anomie, his models often gaze into distance, evoking disconnectedness. His practice focused on the members of the marginalized society, including women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color. In 2019, Olaf was named a Knight of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands after 500 pieces were given to the Rijksmuseum collection. In 2023, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands presented Olaf with the Medal of Honor for Art and Science. His works are in collections worldwide, such as Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga in Spain, Koo House in South Korea, The Franks-Suss Collection in the United Kingdom, and George Eastman Museum in New York, United States.
In Memoriam
July 25nd 1959 - September 20th 2023
