Biography
Sander Coers (b. 1997) is an artist working with photography based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. By deconstructing and recontextualizing memories, Sander seeks to uncover how histories—both personal and collective—are passed down through generations. His work blends techniques and media to examine themes rooted in his daily experiences and personal interactions. Through his exploration, he invites viewers to question how we remember, how we forget, and how those processes shape who we are across generations.
Drawing from family archives and his own photography, he delves into the emotional repression inherited across generations, especially among men. Through materials like wood, textiles, and ceramics, he seeks to expand the tactile and emotional dimensions of memory. Next to this, he incorporates newer techniques, such as artificial intelligence and digital manipulation, reflecting on the constructed nature of memory and the tension between reality and fantasy. He is particularly interested in how family photos, like vacation snapshots, often present an idealized version of the past. By re-examining these images, he explores how they shape family stories and histories—often revealing the gaps and silences that linger beneath the surface.
Since graduating with Honours in Fine Art from the Willem de Kooning Academie in 2021, Sander has published three books: Come Home, This Naked Incident, and Blue Mood (Al Mar). His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across The Netherlands and abroad, with features in Foam, Vogue, Die Zeit, i-D, and The Guardian. Recognized as a "Rising Star of 2022" by Dutch newspaper NRC, he was also nominated for the CO Berlin Talent Award and is currently part of the Foam Talent program for 2024-2025. His work has been acquired by the Preus Museum, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Rabobank, and various other collections.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2025
Mai Manó House, Budapest, HU (upcoming)
Rifugio Digitale, Florence, IT (upcoming)
2024
Unfair, Amsterdam, NL
Group Exhibitions
2025
Yellow Gallery, Leiden, NL (upcoming)
Photo London x Nikon Gallery, London, UK (upcoming)
Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation, Eschborn, DE (upcoming)
The Naked Truth, Het Archief, Rotterdam, NL (upcoming)
2024
Open Doors Gallery, London, UK
Foto Tallinn 2024, Kai Art Center, Tallinn, EE
Palm* Photo Prize, 1014 Gallery, London, UK
Young Collectors Circle x Clifford Chance, Amsterdam, NL
Athens Photo Festival, Benaki Museum, Athens, GR
Palm* Photo Prize, Melkweg Expo, Amsterdam, NL
Photo London, Open Doors Gallery, London, UK
Foam Talent, Foam, Amsterdam, NL
A Flag, Amsterdam, NL
2023
Grisebach x DER GREIF, Berlin, DE
Grisebach x DER GREIF, Munich, DE
OD Photo Prize, Open Doors Gallery, London, UK
Vogue: What is Beauty, Milan, IT
Preus Museum, Oslo, NO
PhMuseum, Bologna, IT
Unseen, Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam, NL
Springboard Art Fair, Utrecht, NL
2022
Josilda da Conceição Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
Rabo Portrait Prize, Het Depot Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, NL
Unseen, Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam, NL
Wild Summer of Art, BRUTUS, Rotterdam, NL
The Gallery Club, Amsterdam, NL
Het Creatieve Huis x De Bijenkorf, Rotterdam, NL
Palm* Photo Prize, 1014 Gallery, London, UK
This Naked Incident, Showroom MAMA, Rotterdam, NL
2021
Best of Graduates 2021, Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam, NL
Contour Gallery, Rotterdam, NL
2020
Noorderlicht Futurama, Museum Belvédère, Heerenveen, NL
2019
Gallery Untitled, Rotterdam, NL
2018
Beyond Dada en De Stijl, Museum Dr8888, Drachten, NL
2017
New Dutch Photography Talent 2018, Amsterdam, NL
Publications
Foam, i-D, The Guardian, Vogue, Artnet, Artsy, The British Journal of Photography, De Volkskrant, Metropolis M, Het Financieele Dagblad, NRC, Het Parool, Unseen, Musée Magazine, Fisheye, Die Zeit, Weltkunst, Monopol Magazin, HERO, Paper Journal Mag, Dear Dave, C41 Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar NL, Elle NL, Número NL, Tique, WÜL Magazine, Booooooom, Positiv
Collections
Preus Museum
Rabobank
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mondriaan Fonds
Kunstcollectie Rijksoverheid
Various Private Collections
Books
2023 Blue Mood (Al Mar)
2021 Come Home
2021 This Naked Incident
Prizes, Nominations & Support
2024
CO Berlin Talent Award - nominated
Nikon Emerging Photographer Award - shortlist
Palm* Photo Prize - shortlist
Mondriaan Fonds Kunstenaar Start - support
Foam Talent - selected
2023
Preus Museum Award - shortlist
OD Photo Prize - judge’s pick
Booooooom Art & Photo Book Award - won
Stichting Stokroos - support
2022
Rabo Portrait Prize Talent - shortlist
SYB Kunstprijs - longlist
OD Photo Prize - longlist
Palm* Photo Prize - longlist
Athens Photo Festival - longlist
Rijzende Sterren, NRC - selected
2021
RM Photo Award - won
Best of Graduates, Galerie Ron Mandos - selected
Rabo Portrait Prize Talent - longlist
2018
New Dutch Photography Talent - selected
Clients
Essentiel Antwerp
Sony Music
Die Zeit
Woolrich
PAL Sporting Goods
Daniëlle Cathari
The New Originals
Iris van Herpen
DJ Mag
Ajen
Sander Coers
Sander Coers
Sander Coers
Sander Coers
