Erwin Olaf

1959 born in Hilversum, Netherlands. Lives and works in Amsterdam. Dutch multidisciplinary artist Erwin Olaf is a veteran of editorial and commercial photography, having worked for clients such as Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta, Vogue and The New York Times. In his art photography he often puts the conventions of fashion photography into the service of beautifully complex, often existentially terse portraiture. His emphasis is on precision in all of the visual elements — painterly lighting, flawless hair and make-up, settings that create an allure of serenity — but these highly stylised, polished depictions always have a subtext, addressing social issues, societal taboos and gender politics.