Erwin Olaf: strange beauty

Abstract

For his photographs and films, the Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf creates a world that has been staged down to its smallest detail. It seems very similar to ours, but its artificiality give it an enigmatic sense. Still, with their visuals borrowed from the film and advertising industries, the works are only flawlessly striking on the surface; in fact, they deal with questions of democracy, equality, or self-determination. Marking Olaf's first comprehensive solo exhibition in Germany, the companion publication deals with essential aspects of Olaf's art and offers an attractive survey of his multifaceted oeuvre from the past forty years. Olaf's most recent works, some of which were created especially for the exhibition at the Kunsthalle Munich, will also be shown. ERWIN OLAF (*1959) studied journalism. He began his career as a photographer for magazines and journals, often with a socio-political background. In addition to commercial work, he produced a comprehensive body of artistic work from the 1980s onward. With his idiosyncratic style, Olaf quickly attracted international attention. His works are shown in exhibitions worldwide. Exhibition: Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, München, Germany (19.03. - 22.08.2021).