BIO
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(EN)
Erik van Cuyk (1968) is an autonomous photographer. He studied Law at the Radboud University Nijmegen and Photography at the Fotoacademie in Amsterdam. His graduation project was exhibited by the international Fotofestival of Arles (FR) and the prominent British Journal of Photography (UK). Van Cuyk's work is featured in publications such as NRC, Volkskrant and photography magazines. He has produced multiple photobooks focusing on the theme of 'resilience of people against a backdrop of decay'. His latest book was created in the neighborhoods of South London, known primarily for their high crime rates and social issues.
In addition to photobooks, Van Cuyk also engages in ongoing autonomous photography, sometimes dedicating years to a single photograph. His images shows us the magic and beauty of the everyday world.
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(NL)
Erik van Cuyk (1968) is autonoom fotograaf. Hij studeerde Rechten aan de Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen en Fotografie aan de Fotoacademie te Amsterdam.
Zijn afstudeerproject werd getoond op het internationale Fotofestival van Arles (FR) en het toonaangevende British Journal of Photography (UK). Van Cuyk publiceert onder meer in NRC, Volkskrant en fotografie-magazines. Hij maakte meerdere fotoboeken rondom het thema ‘veerkracht van mensen tegen een decor van verval’. Zijn laatste boek is gemaakt in de wijken van Zuid-Londen die vooral bekend staan vanwege hoge criminaliteitscijfers en sociale problematiek.
Naast fotoboeken werkt Van Cuyk aan autonome series, waarbij hij soms jaren werkt aan één foto. Zijn beelden tonen ons de magie en het schone van de alledaagse wereld.
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Photo by M.Verbaarschot (c)
Curriculum
Education
2015 - 2018 Photo Academy Amsterdam
1988 - 1992 Dutch and International Law, Nijmegen
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Awards & Shortlisted
2023 Editors Pick LENS CULTURE International Portraits Award
2021 Longlisted DUTCH NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY/RABO PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRICE
2019 Arnhem Award 'A Good Book 2019', CASA + OPA
2019 ARLES Photofestival Voies Off 2019: 'Emerging European Talents'
2017 100 New Dutch Talent, GUP/NIKON
2016 Selected Photogram, Amsterdam
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Exhibitions
2024 Community center De Bakermat Arnhem: 'From Rijnwijk to Brixton'
2024 Museum Valkhof: 'The Walk – The Mix' (duo with Paul den Hollander)
2023 EXPO 'Here I Am', Rozet Arnhem
2022 EXPO 'We Are The City', Rozet Arnhem
2021 International Photofestival Leiden
2021 FotoFestival Naarden
2020 Eindhoven City & Library 'Embrace Freedom'
2020 Rijnwijk book Part of MARTIN PARR COLLECTION Tate Gallery, London
2019 Marrakech Photofestival Voies Off 2019
2019 Book publication UNSEEN Amsterdam 2019
2019 ARLES Photofestival Voies Off 2019
2019 ESPY Photo, Elysium Swansea, Wales (UK)
2019 Expo Museum Hilversum
2019 Expo 'LUCID' Loods 6 Amsterdam
2018 Rotterdam Photo Festival
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Media
2024 De Gelderlander, Interview Exhibition series Rijnwijk + South London, about prejudices
2024 Volkskrant Magazine, 'An eye for hope' (overview with other photographers e.g. Nan Goldin, Mitch Epstein, Henk Wildschut, Dana Lixenberg)
2024 De Gelderlander, "Stillness on central station"
2024 AT 5, The Culture Machine with Nadine
2024 NRC, 'In South London, birthplace of UK Drill-rap, young people dream of stardom in Nigeria'
2024 NPO RADIO 1, WITH AN EYE ON TOMORROW (MET HET OOG OP MORGEN)
2024 Focus Magazine ‘I don’t fold under pressure’
2022 De Gelderlander, Section ‘Looking’, “the Opportunity Factory”
2022 Picture This, artist talk
2021 CHIP PHOTO MAGAZINE
2021 NPO RADIO 1, VPRO Bureau Buitenland
2021 NPO Radio 1, News&Co, NTR NOS
2021 Care & Welfare Magazine
2021 Pf Magazine (article on printing technique Playground 2020)
2021 Dutch national newspaper NRC Handelsblad "every curb a skatepark"
2021 FOCUS MAGAZINE "Playground 2020"
2020 Podcast 'Embrace Freedom', RARARADIO Eindhoven
2020 Article Dutch newspaper 'Eindhovens Dagblad' on project 'Embrace Freedom'
2019 Publication 'Looking', “Behind the Scenes” Dutch newspaper De Gelderlander
2019 Publication SHUTR Magazine, project 'Boyman'
2019 Review FOCUS Magazine, project 'Rijnwijk'
2019 Article in KIEKIE Magazine, 'from the inside'
2019 Review PHOTOBOOKJOURNAL
2019 Interview, article BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
2019 Publication series 'Rijnwijk My Neighborhood' & Interview in Sprank Magazine
2019 Publication portrait 'Ferry Mingelen' in ANBO Magazine
2019 Publication & interview in Dutch newspaper 'De Gelderlander'
2016 Publication series 'Connemara park' in CARA Inflight Aer Lingus
Artist statement
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For nearly 25 years, I lived in a kind of self-imposed captivity. I had just completed my university studies when my mother passed away. Alongside her battle with cancer, she suffered from serious psychological challenges. With this weight, I embarked on a corporate career, seeking financial stability, a new path in life and a sense of self-worth. Yet the roles I took on brought me little real satisfaction; they felt repetitive and unfulfilling. Around my thirties, I entered a period of deep inner struggle, questioning the meaning of life and my place in it. Each time I tried to return to the corporate world, I felt an even deeper longing for purpose and identity. This was when I found my path as a photographer.
This journey also taught me to embrace life's impermanence. Recently, I came across the Japanese concept of 'Mono No Aware', which roughly translates to "the pathos of things" or a “sensitivity to the ephemeral nature of all things.” It represents a deep awareness and appreciation of life’s transience, and the beauty that emerges from the inevitable passage of time. In Germany, closer to my Dutch culture, there is a related concept, 'Sehnsucht', which captures a deep longing for something elusive or unattainable.
I believe these concepts capture the essence of my work and its origins. Through acceptance and creation, I find solace in capturing life’s fleeting beauty, seeking to reflect both the interconnectedness of the universe and humanity’s ongoing search for meaning.
Erik van Cuyk​​
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"I completely focus on the shapes of things. Lines, material textures,
patches of light—it brings me what I call 'honesty'. It also makes
the continuous drift mind-clouds of thoughts and opinions evaporate".
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