The ultimate tribute to the Netherlands’ most rebellious multimedia artist: Erwin Olaf
Erwin Olaf – Freedom offers a unique insight into the work and life of Erwin Olaf (1959–2023), one of the Netherlands’ most pioneering artistic figures. Renowned for his staged, cinematic visual language and bold aesthetic, Olaf explored themes such as sexuality, transience, vulnerability, and activism throughout his career.
A tireless advocate for equal rights, Olaf captured both the beauty and the struggle of those who exist outside the norm. His final works – never before exhibited – include Self-Portrait with Lungs (2023), a profoundly personal and artistic confrontation.
Featuring powerful imagery and a wealth of previously unseen work, this book stands as a compelling tribute to an artist who redefined the medium of photography and leaves behind a legacy of beauty, resistance, and humanity. Insightful essays by leading writers provide fresh perspectives on his artistic and social significance.
With contributions from Paco Barragán, Charlotte Cotton, Jonathan Turner, Francis Hodgson, Tahrim Ramdjan, Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Hans van Manen, Taco Dibbits, Charl Landvreugd, Shirley den Hartog and others.
This book is published on the occasion of the major retrospective at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, from October 10, 2025 to March 1, 2026.