Exhibition in Amsterdam
Erwin Olaf
Exhibition in Amsterdam
Erwin Olaf
Exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Erwin Olaf: Freedom
Erwin Olaf: Freedom
Exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
11 October 2025 to 1 March 2026
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is once again hosting a top-notch exhibition. It’s the first museum retrospective on Erwin Olaf since his unexpected death two years ago.
The exhibition is intended to pay tribute to the versatile artist, as Erwin Olaf was one of the most important Dutch photographic artists. In addition to iconic artworks and series, the presentation also features lesser-known works, including videos and sculptures, his advertising photography, and personal archival material.
We are very excited and will be visiting the exhibition!
Yours, Céline
Erwin Olaf
Tickets
The details
at a glance
Exhibition
Erwin Olaf: Freedom
Exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
11 October 2025 to 1 March 2026
Opening Hours
Daily, 10.00 to 18.00 h
Prices
EUR 22.50 for adults 19 years and older
EUR 10 for international students (with ID)
Free admission for children 18 and younger, and ICOM members, I amsterdam City Card
Location
Stedelijk Museum
Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Who Was
Erwin Olaf?
Erwin Olaf was a celebrated Dutch photographer and artist, born in 1959 in Hilversum and sadly passed away in 2023 following surgery.
He first made waves in the 1980s with bold, staged photographs that tackled taboo subjects like the body, identity, and societal expectations. Olaf had a signature style – sleek, stylised, often tinged with cool surrealism – but always with a deeper message beneath the surface.
His work was shown in top museums and magazines around the world, earning him international recognition and a lasting influence on contemporary photography. He helped shape a generation of image-makers who came after him.
Two of his most iconic series include:
“Grief” (2007) – a hauntingly beautiful portrait series exploring sorrow, restraint, and loss in a highly polished, cinematic style.
“Royal Blood” (2000) – a provocative series portraying murdered royals, blending glamour and gore in a chilling commentary on power and myth.
Erwin Olaf was one of the most important Dutch artists of his time. His images are emotionally charged, meticulously composed, and unafraid to explore themes of identity, diversity, and equality. Today, his work lives on in major collections like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
About the Exhibition
Erwin Olaf: Freedom
The exhibition Freedom marks the first major retrospective of Erwin Olaf’s work in the Netherlands since his sudden passing in 2023. Hosted by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the show pays tribute to Olaf’s fierce artistic independence and his lifelong commitment to social issues.
It begins with his early black-and-white photojournalistic work from the 1980s — raw, unposed shots covering topics like LGBTQ+ rights protests, highlighting his strong sense of activism. From there, the exhibition follows his transition into carefully staged studio photography, driven by his obsession with light, aesthetics, and control.
On display are iconic series like Ladies Hats (1985–2022), Chessmen (1987–88), Royal Blood (2000), Grief (2007), Fashion Victims (2000), Berlin (2012), and Skin Deep (2015).
A highlight is Grief (2007): melancholic portraits of people in elegant, cinematic interiors — frozen in moments of silent sorrow or emotional numbness. There are no tears, yet the pain is palpable. The work reflects on how we perform, suppress, or stylise emotions in society.
Another poignant addition is Olaf’s Self-Portrait triptych, created for his 50th birthday in 2009. In I Wish, he shows an idealised, younger version of himself. I Am presents a raw, honest self-portrait. I Will Be imagines his older self, oxygen tank included, as he faced chronic illness. Through this series, Olaf explores the themes of ageing, mortality, and identity — with striking clarity and craftsmanship.
Another highlight of the exhibition is Olaf’s final, unfinished work — the video piece “For Life”, a poetic reflection on transience and the meaning of freedom.
The exhibition makes it clear just how deeply committed Olaf was to visibility and freedom of expression — especially for queer communities and those living on the margins of society.
If you’re planning to visit the Freedom exhibition, make sure to allow yourself plenty of time — Olaf’s work is highly visual and rich in detail. It’s especially worth taking the time to watch the video installations. Some run for several minutes, but their full impact only reveals itself slowly, as you settle into their rhythm and atmosphere.
Official website of the Stedelijk Museum: www.stedelijk.nl/en/exhibitions/erwin-olaf-en
Text rights: © Céline Mülich, 2025. Based on the Stedelijk Museum’s press release.
Image credits: All images from the Stedelijk Museum press section
Header + Image 1: Erwin Olaf, April Fool 2020, 11.30am, 2020 © Estate Erwin Olaf, courtesy Ron Mandos Amsterdam
Image 2: Erwin Olaf, Self-Portrait, I Am, 2009 © Estate Erwin Olaf, courtesy Ron Mandos Amsterdam
Image 3: Erwin Olaf, Ladies Hats, Hennie, 1985 © Estate Erwin Olaf, courtesy Ron Mandos Amsterdam
Image 4 (“Triptych”): Erwin Olaf, Self-Portrait, I Wish, 2009 + Self-Portrait, I Am, 2009 + Self-Portrait, I Will Be, 2009 © Estate Erwin Olaf, courtesy Ron Mandos Amsterdam
Image 5: Erwin Olaf, April Fool 2020, 11.15am, 2020 © Estate Erwin Olaf, courtesy Ron Mandos Amsterdam