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Erwin Olaf — Shanghai Huai Hai 116 Portrait 02
Erwin Olaf

Shanghai Huai Hai 116 Portrait 02

2017

A quietly arresting stillness defines this 2017 photograph by Dutch master Erwin Olaf, one of a series of portraits created during his extended engagement with Shanghai. Shot against the layered textures and muted tones that have come to characterize his Chinese body of work, the image places a solitary figure within a visual language that is both cinematic and deeply considered. Olaf's signature command of light, color, and psychological tension is fully present here, drawing the viewer into a moment suspended between intimacy and distance. The work belongs to the Huai Hai 116 series, named for the storied Shanghai address where it was conceived, and reflects the artist's ongoing fascination with the intersection of personal identity and cultural context. Printed at 75 by 56 centimeters, the work is presented at a scale that rewards close looking without overwhelming the domestic or institutional spaces collectors typically inhabit. Olaf's technical precision is evident in every detail, from the nuanced tonal range to the controlled depth of field, qualities that have earned him a reputation as one of the most rigorous photographers working today. His practice moves fluidly between commercial and fine art contexts, yet his gallery work consistently pursues something more ruminative, a study in mood and meaning rather than spectacle. This signed work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, providing full provenance documentation for the collector's archive. Framing is not included, allowing the new owner the flexibility to present the piece according to their own curatorial vision. The photograph is currently available through Danysz Gallery and represents a strong acquisition within Olaf's recognized and internationally exhibited body of work.

Medium
Photo
Overall
Signed
Yes

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About this work

Erwin Olaf, Shanghai Huai Hai 116 Portrait 02, 2017

A quietly arresting stillness defines this 2017 photograph by Dutch master Erwin Olaf, one of a series of portraits created during his extended engagement with Shanghai. Shot against the layered textures and muted tones that have come to characterize his Chinese body of work, the image places a solitary figure within a visual language that is both cinematic and deeply considered. Olaf's signature command of light, color, and psychological tension is fully present here, drawing the viewer into a moment suspended between intimacy and distance. The work belongs to the Huai Hai 116 series, named for the storied Shanghai address where it was conceived, and reflects the artist's ongoing fascination with the intersection of personal identity and cultural context. Printed at 75 by 56 centimeters, the work is presented at a scale that rewards close looking without overwhelming the domestic or institutional spaces collectors typically inhabit. Olaf's technical precision is evident in every detail, from the nuanced tonal range to the controlled depth of field, qualities that have earned him a reputation as one of the most rigorous photographers working today. His practice moves fluidly between commercial and fine art contexts, yet his gallery work consistently pursues something more ruminative, a study in mood and meaning rather than spectacle. This signed work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, providing full provenance documentation for the collector's archive. Framing is not included, allowing the new owner the flexibility to present the piece according to their own curatorial vision. The photograph is currently available through Danysz Gallery and represents a strong acquisition within Olaf's recognized and internationally exhibited body of work.

Medium
Photo
Dimensions
overall: 75 x 56 x 5 cm
Year
2017
Signed
Hand-signed by the artist
Seen at
Danysz Gallery

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Collected by

Alex Capecelatro