Erwin Olaf

author · photographer

Erwin Olaf (1959–2023) was an internationally acclaimed Dutch photographic artist and photographer based in Amsterdam. His diverse practice centered on society’s marginalized individuals, including women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. He began his career in the 1980s documenting pre-AIDS gay liberation in Amsterdam's nightlife. Olaf is known for a bold and sometimes controversial approach to equality and social issues. In 2013, he designed the national side of the euro coins for King Willem-Alexander, and in 2017, he served as the official portrait artist for the Dutch royal family. His work has been included in major international collections such as the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and the Pushkin Museum.[1,2,3,4,5]

Themes

  • marginalized individuals
  • LGBTQ+ community
  • race relations
  • economic divisions
  • sexuality

Works by Erwin Olaf

  • Mind Their Own 1995 · Uitgeverij Focus · book · Dutch ISBN 9072216601

Exhibitions

  • 2019 Erwin Olaf Kunstmuseum The Hague and The Hague Museum of Photography, The Hague group
  • 2021 Erwin Olaf Kunsthalle München, Munich solo
  • 2021 Erwin Olaf Suwon Museum of Art, Suwon solo

Awards

  • 2019 Knight of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands Netherlands
  • Johannes Vermeer Award Netherlands
  • Photographer of the Year International Color Awards
  • Dutch Artist of the Year Kunstbeeld magazine

References

  1. 2025 link
  2. Erwin Olaf - biography. link
  3. Erwin Olaf - Stedelijk Museum. link
  4. Erwin Olaf - Magda Danysz Gallery. link
  5. Erwin Olaf - Hamiltons Gallery. link