Erwin Olaf (Erwin Olaf Springveld) is born in 1959 in Hilversum, The Netherlands. He studied journalism at the School of Journalism in Utrecht. His early work has been inspired by Hans van Manen en Robert Mapplethorpe.
Olaf is most famous for his commercial and personal work. He has been commissioned to photograph advertising campaigns for large international companies such as Levi’s, Microsoft, Diesel and Louis Vuitton. Some of his most famous photographic series include “Grief”, “Rain”, “Hope” and “Royal Blood”. Never one to shy away from controversy, Olaf’s work is often daring and provocative. Humorously however, one of his early photographs was once expelled from a show on the basis of not containing nudity.
His work has received many awards, including the prestigious Johannes Vermeer Award (a Dutch State price) in 2011. His work has been exhibited all around the world.
