Biography

Ruben van Schalm was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1988. He now lives and works between New York, and Amsterdam. Over the past decade, Van Schalm has masterfully crafted a world that delicately balances the pristine beauty of the human body in its purest form with the fragile essence of nature. His work is renowned for its evocative power, where striking black and white photographs become a canvas for the interplay between the human form and the natural world. Through his lens, Van Schalm explores themes of vulnerability, strength, and the ephemeral nature of beauty. In 2020, he produced his first monograph, Paradise, which was enriched by the commendation of celebrated photographer Erwin Olaf, whose preface not only affirmed Van Schalm's artistic vision but also inspired a deeper exploration of the fleeting intersections between human and nature. This acknowledgment has propelled him to continue pushing the boundaries of his craft, delving deeper into the exploration of poignant, universal themes through the meticulous and thoughtful presentation of his subjects. In 2025, Van Schalm was named a finalist in the Lucie Foundation’s prestigious Hidden Beauty open call, further affirming the international recognition of his poignant photographic language.

Van Schalm, Ruben

b, 1988, Rotterdam NL

Museums & Library Collections

The Research Library Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam - The Netherlands, NL

The Art Library Museum Voorlinden Collection - The Netherlands, NL

The Research Library Rijksmuseum Collection - The Netherlands, NL

The Art Library & Research Tel Aviv Museum Collection - Israel, TLV

The RKD Netherlands for Art History The Netherlands, NL

The Leiden University Library, Special Collections, The Netherlands, NL

The MA-g The Museum of Avant Garde Switzerland, CH

The Sächsische Landesbibliothek Dresden, DE

The Royal Library Denhaag, The Netherlands, NL