Philip Akkerman (B. 1957, Vaassen, Netherlands) is a contemporary Dutch artist who has strictly created self-portraits since 1981. Though restricted to a single subject matter, Akkerman is able to explore infinite permutations and variations of an individual’s identity. Classically trained but conceptually inspired, Akkerman reinvents self-portraiture as a passage of time which reflects upon the whole of humanity. In describing the reasoning behind why he limits himself to self-portraits, Akkerman often states, “I paint myself, and so I paint the whole of mankind.” He has received numerous awards over the course of his career including the Sandberg Prize (1993), The Ouborg Prize (1999), and the Jeanne Oosting Prize for Watercolours (1999), among others.

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum (Rotterdam, NL)
Hirshorn Museum (Washington, D.C.)
Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam, NL)