This autumn, Amsterdam will host an extraordinary exhibition Erwin Olaf – Freedom, the first major retrospective in the Netherlands since the artist’s passing. From October 11, 2025 through March 1, 2026, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam will mount a sweeping presentation of Erwin Olaf’s photographic legacy, featuring limited edition works, rare archival material, commercial photography, video, sculpture, and never-before-seen pieces.
A Retrospective like No Other
At the core of this exhibition is a deep dive into Olaf’s expansive work, from his early journalistic black-and-white reportage to his meticulously staged and cinematic series. Expect to see signature works such as Ladies Hats, Chessmen, Royal Blood, Grief, Fashion Victims, Berlin, Skin Deep, and more.
Notably, this retrospective includes never-before-exhibited works—among them Self‑Portrait with Lungs (2023), created during Olaf’s final years.The show concludes with his unfinished final video, For Life, a poignant symbol of both life and mortality.
Themes: Freedom, Identity & Activism
Erwin Olaf was never merely a photographer, he was a free thinker and activist, deeply engaged with themes of identity, sexuality, gender, human vulnerability, and the politics of representation.
Throughout the curated exhibits, Olaf’s fight for equal rights and freedom of expression is a recurring motif. His staging and lighting techniques—where every prop, shadow, and expression is deliberate, made him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary visual art.
Within the exhibition’s narrative, series such as Paradise underscore his often dark, theatrical view of fantasy and social tensions. Later work such as Im Wald, Palm Springs, Shanghai, and Muses push into reflections on nature, mortality, isolation, and global culture.
Collect Erwin Olaf’s Iconic Works at Famous Amsterdam
While the Freedom retrospective at the Stedelijk Museum offers a rare chance to experience Erwin Olaf’s full artistic range, many of his most celebrated pieces are also available to purchase at Famous Amsterdam. Collectors and enthusiasts can explore a curated selection of limited edition Erwin Olaf photography, including sought-after series like Fashion Victims, Paradise Portraits, Chessmen, Grief, and more. These powerful, meticulously crafted works are available as signed prints and editions, offering a unique opportunity to own part of Olaf’s provocative and visionary legacy.