Vlad 01

Aperture is pleased to release this limited-edition photograph on the occasion of the Aperture publication Erwin Olaf: I am. Released in honor of Erwin Olaf's sixtieth birthday, Erwin Olaf: I Am presents the first comprehensive survey of his work, bringing together his earliest images in black and white with his now-iconic colorwork, including selections from his most recent and heretofore unpublished series shot in Shanghai. This chronological presentation traces the evolution of the artist from cheeky provocateur to royal portraitist, as well as the refinement of his unique vision and stylistic panache over the last four decades. Vlad 01 is from his earlier series Ladies Hats, work he made between 1985 and 2019, where he photographed male models wearing ladies' hats. This special print for Aperture is a gelatin-silver and was printed by the artist's own hand in his Netherlands studio. Erwin Olaf: I Am was published to accompany the largest retrospective of his work to date, a multiple-venue show with installations at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Gemeentemuseum Den Haag; and Fotomuseum Den Haag.

Gelatin-Silver Print, printed by the artist
Image Size: 11 x 11 inches
Paper Size: 12 x 16 inches
Edition of 25 + 3 Artist Proofs
Signed and numbered by the artist

Erwin Olaf (b. 1959, Hilversum, The Netherlands) is a Dutch photographer known for his highly stylized, daring, and often provocative work addressing social issues and taboos. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Johannes Vermeer Award (2011), a Lucie Award (2008), and Photographer of the Year in the International Color Awards (2006). Among other accolades, Olaf received the commission to design the new national side of the Dutch Euro, launched in 2013. In 2008 and 2014, Aperture published volumes one and two of Olaf’s self-titled monographs. Erwin Olaf: I Am was published by Aperture in 2019 to accompany the most extensive retrospective of his work to date, a multiple-venue show that encompassed installations at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Gemeentemuseum Den Haag; and Fotomuseum Den Haag.