Erwin Olaf - The Biography

Fans of Erwin Olaf are in for a treat with the biography cum photo book 'Erwin Olaf - The Biography' by Micha Cohen. The chunky 660-page book contains a more than fascinating life story of the Amsterdam photographer and artist, tastefully illustrated with 350 photographs from his private life and his extensive career. 

Erwin Olaf's unexpected death last year, while he was still recovering from a lung transplant, came as a shock. Over the past 3 decades, he gained fame for his extravagant and sometimes sexually explicit photographs. He was inspired by icons such as Robert Mapplethorpe, Hans van Manen and Paul Blanca, and found his muses in the legendary Amsterdam nightclub Club RoXY. Over the years, he evolved from a rebellious avant-gardist to a globally celebrated artist. His exhibitions attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, from The Hague to Shanghai. Despite his growing fame, he remained true to his own artistic vision and fought tirelessly for the rights of the queer community.

Due to a progressive lung disease, Erwin Olaf felt the need to put his legacy in order. He collaborated on this book, which documents his life and work. His desire was clear: "I don't have to come out great. But I do want it to be accurate." Mischa Cohen followed Olaf for years and gained exclusive access to his archives and his life. He spoke with Olaf's loved ones, friends, colleagues, gallerists, curators, muses and family, and attended photo shoots. Together they selected images from both his oeuvre and his private life. Finally, there were final, moving encounters in a sterile hospital room, capturing the final phase of his life.

Specifications
Title: Erwin Olaf - The Biography
Author: Mischa Cohen
Publisher: Hannibal Books
Size: 247 x 178 x 59 mm
Size: 660 pages
Photos: 350 photos
Weight: 1787 grams
Language: English
Material: Hardcover
ISBN: 9789464941982
Release: October 9, 2025

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