#56 - "It's not my voice, it's ours": Shirley den Hartog on carrying Erwin Olaf's legacy forward

For 25 years, Shirley den Hartog was photographer Erwin Olaf's manager, and today she leads the Estate Erwin Olaf as its director. In this episode, she looks back on his lifelong dream to be exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, a wish that came true two years after his death with the exhibition Freedom.Shirley talks about the arrangement that defined their partnership for almost three decades: she took care of the business, he took care of the art. She shares how that trust shaped his work, why she chose not to hire someone else to run his legacy, and what it means to make decisions for an artist who is no longer here.We also talk about the Catalogue she's now building, the ethical questions that come with archiving decades of work, and how she thinks about AI, sustainability and the future of photography.A conversation about trust, freedom and what it means to carry someone's life's work forward, not as a duty, but as a shared voice.What you'll learn in this episodeHow Erwin Olaf's lifelong dream of a Stedelijk Museum exhibition came true, two years after his deathWhy Shirley never knew what his artworks cost, and how that protected him as an artistWhat changes when you have to make decisions for someone who's no longer there to askWhy she chose to become the visible director of his estate, instead of hiring someone elseHow she thinks about AI, the ethics of archiving and the future of photography"It's not my voice. Our voice was together always. So I think if I talk, it's us always. It's not me. It's not him. It's us."About the guestShirley den Hartog met Erwin Olaf in 1997 as an intern and became his manager and close friend for 25 years. Since his passing, she has led the Estate Erwin Olaf as director, responsible for his legacy, his foundation and his artistic archive.Free webinarWant to know what the photographers who keep growing all have in common? Join Kaat's free webinar and learn the five things they do remarkably consistently, and how to apply them yourself. Sign up here Masterclass with Ebrahim AlipourWant more? Join our next online masterclass with Iranian documentary photographer Ebrahim Alipour, World Press Photo winner. He'll share how to build a project without budget, access or a network. August 27, 4 PM. Live or replay. donkerekamer.com/masterclassesPartner: CameranuThis episode is brought to you by Camera Nu. Whatever gear you need, their specialists think along with you and give you honest advice. Get 10% off your next purchase with code DDK10 at cameranu.be.