bio
Ernst's work consists of extensive portrait series in which he pays attention to important topics such as diversity, inclusiveness, racism, discrimination, and exclusion. He feels particularly close to socially relevant topics, being a gay man himself. In these projects, the ‘underdog’ is the star. Their strength is a source of inspiration, their story needs to be told. His work has been showcased at photo-festivals, museums, art-fairs, and exhibitions in public spaces in the Netherlands and abroad. Ernst has received multiple awards for his work. His series 'SOLD' - portraiting of victims of human trafficking - won 1st prize in the 2020 LensCulture Portrait Awards and was acquired by the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool (UK).
clients
Volkskrant – Volkskrant Magazine – Vrij Nederland - Het Parool – LINDA. Magazine – L’HOMO Magazine – Wordt Vervolgd – Google – Marie-Stella-Maris – FNV – Right To Play – Centraal Beheer Achmea – Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam – CZAR – Rabobank – NSGK – Vice NL - Booking.com – Municipality of Amsterdam – CoMensha – Stichting Openmind – Rutgers&Posch – FUTUREWOMENX – NPO et al.
exhibitions
2021-2022 Rijksmuseum Twenthe : SOLD - solo
2021-2023 Oudroze/ Antique Pink - Outdoor traveling multi media exhibition - solo (o.a. exhibited at Westermarkt and Stadionplein in Amsterdam in 2021 and many more districts and cities in 2022/2023 )
2021-2022 Legale Liefde/ Legal Love - Outdoor traveling multi media exhibition - solo (exhibited in all 7 city districts in Amsterdam and many other cities.)
2019 Museum Jan Cunen - SOLD - solo
2019 Museum Hilversum - Ian’s world - solo
2019 Fotofestival Naarden - Grote Kerk - sold series
2019 Cortona On The Move Italy- SOLD series - solo
2017- Present - Outdoor exhibition, 30 different Cities in the Netherlands so far / Strasbourg at the council of Europe/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Hague - Open Your Eyes (Campaign Against Human Trafficking)
2017 Art Basel, Art Basel Miami, Photofairs San Francisco
2016 Museum De Fundatie - Dutch Identity (Dutch Portrait Photography Now)
2015 Unseen - Madarbunia series
2015 Naarden Photo Festival - Madarbunia series - solo
2015 The Ravestijn Gallery Amsterdam - Madarbunia series - solo
2014 Melkweg Gallery Amsterdam - Dans le Milieu series - solo
2013 Tropen Museum Amsterdam - Natural is Beautiful series
awards
LensCulture Portrait Awards 2020
1st prize for SOLD (more info here)
SO Award 2020.
Nomination for Ian's world. Winner will be announced September 2020
ZILVEREN CAMERA AWARDS 2018.
2nd prize Zilveren Camera documentary series for Sold
PAUL PETERS FOTO PRIJS
1st prize for “Sold”. Thé award for socially committed photography.
SO Award 2015
Nomination for a selection of 10 images from my personal work shot in Bangladesh.
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2015
Honorable mention for the a selection of childrens portraits from the ‘Madarbunia-Bangladesh’ series in the category People/Portrait/Children
ZILVEREN CAMERA AWARDS 2014
Winner in category Portrait Series for “dans le milieu” .
SO Award 2014
Gold winner for a selection of personal work shot in West Africa.
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2013
Honorable mention for the ‘Botoxed’ series in the category Fine Art/Portrait and People/Portrait
Honorable mention for the ‘Natural is beautiful’ series in the category Fine Art/Portrait ánd People/Portrait
Honorable mention for the portrait of ex coma patient Lotte, shot for LINDA Magazine, in the category People/Portrait
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2011
Honorable mention for the ‘Ballet Boys’ series in the category Fine Art/Portrait
Honorable mention for the ‘Ballet Boys’ series in the category People/Portrait
20th PANL AWARDS 2011
nomination for the Ballet Boys series
DE FOTOPRIJS 2011
Winner for the ‘ Mr. Loverlover – the gay escorts ‘ series
PHOTO ACADEMY AWARDS 2010
Winner for the ‘ Mr. Loverlover – the gay escorts ‘
PHOTO ACADEMY AWARDS 2009
Nomination by Melkweg Gallery for the ‘pretty masculine’ series
Nomination by Volkskrant Magazine for the ‘pretty masculine’ series
Winner of Photoacademy Award in the category Volkskrant Magazine