Erwin Olaf – The Biography

Work hard, play hard: monumental biography about photographer Erwin Olaf


“I really don’t need to look great, but I do want it to be accurate.”
— Erwin Olaf


“Just as a painter starts with a blank canvas, Erwin Olaf created his own world.”
— Rineke Dijkstra


Erwin Olaf Springveld (1959–2023) gained recognition for his extravagant and sometimes sexually explicit images. He found his muses in the nightlife scene and developed from a rebellious avant-gardist to an internationally celebrated artist. Until his unexpected death, he remained the creator of his own unique universe and continued to advocate for the rights of the queer community.

Journalist Mischa Cohen followed Erwin Olaf for years, gaining access to his archive, his studio and his personal life. He attended photo shoots and spoke to loved ones, friends, colleagues, gallerists, curators and family. This monumental biography contains dozens of photographs and is an essential reference work for anyone who loves photography.