Erwin Olaf experienced great success at the Groninger Museum. The photographer who died in 2023 has been inextricably linked to the Groninger Museum from the beginning of his career. The series Chessmen, which was on view at the museum in 1987, marked his international breakthrough. In 2003, his successful exhibition opened Silver, an overview of 25 years of work. In 2016, he made a series of photographs of the National Ballet inspired by Auguste Rodin's sculptures for the Groninger Museum.
To honor and remember him, an area in the collection exhibition has been set up with a selection of 11 photographs from the large collection of photographs by Erwin Olaf that the Groninger Museum owns. You will find photographs from the series Blacks (1990), After Rodin (2016) and Chessmen (1987-1988).
Erwin Olaf made his debut as a journalistic photographer in the 1980s, but soon specialized in studio photography. In this, recurring themes are sexuality, impermanence and the irrepressible need to shock the public with humor and sarcasm.
"I would be sorry if there is no attempt to see if I can be among the immortals after my death. But if that fails, equally good friends." - Erwin Olaf.
seen Amsterdam for a while, go out and visit the works of Erwin Olaf at the Groninger Museum. And while you're there, also stop by the Forum for the very special photo exhibition "America & Donald Trump by artist Andres Serrano.