Suzanne Schols (NL, 1985) is a conceptual documentary photographer. She holds a degree in European politics from the London School of Economics and later graduated from the photography department of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague after a career in the political field. Her artistic projects merge these experiences and deal with themes of power, influence, bureaucracy and transparency.

Her graduation project Polite Fictions about diplomatic gifts received the Startpoint Prize for European Art Graduates and the Steenbergen Stipendium public choice award. Her subsequent project LOBBY explores interest representation and the European Green Deal and led to her first solo exhibition at Fotomuseum Den Haag. Schols is currently developing a new body of work titled Check Against Delivery.

In her spare time, she teaches and moderates workshops about politics, democracy and the rule of law.




Feel free to get in touch or subscribe to occasional updates at the bottom of this page︎


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Education 

Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
BDes Photography
2016 - 2020

London School of Economics and Political Science
MSc Politics and Government in the EU
2009 - 2010

University of Amsterdam
BA European Studies
2005 - 2009


Work experience

ProDemos
Guest teacher
2022 - present

De Correspondent
Image editor (internship)
2019

Burson-Marsteller Brussels
Consultant, public affairs and communications
2011 - 2016

European Commission
Policy officer, information society and media
2011

Delegation of the EU to the USA
Public diplomacy officer (internship)
2008 - 2009

Exhibitions

Solo
2023-24  LOBBY - Between Green Deals and Ideals, Fotomuseum Den Haag, NL

Group 
2024  Fotobokfestival Oslo, Gamle Munch, NO
2023  Storie di un attimo, Museo Archeologico di Olbia, IT
2022  Groot Rotterdams Atelier Weekend, Het Archief, Rotterdam, NL
2021  STARTED exhibition, Berlinskej Model, Prague, CZ
2021  Steenbergen Stipendium, Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam, NL
2021  Startpoint exhibition, Arti et Amicitiae, Amsterdam, NL
2020  Startpoint exhibition, Kampus Hybernská, Prague, CZ
2020  Graduation Show, Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, NL
2019  World Biennial of Student Photography, Museum of Contemporary Art Vojvodina, RS
2019  A Series of Contradictions, De Helena, The Hague, NL
2018  Forgetful Number, Kulturni Centar Lab, Novi Sad, RS


Awards, grants & residencies

2024  Rencontres d'Arles Book Awards, LOBBY, shortlisted
2024  Mondriaan Fund, development voucher
2024  Palm Tree workshop with Mathieu Asselin, GR
2023  Mondriaan Fund, publication grant for LOBBY
2023  Jaap Hartenfonds, publication grant for LOBBY
2023  Stroom Den Haag, publication grant for LOBBY
2021  Artist in residence, Garage Gallery, Prague, CZ
2020  Steenbergen Stipendium, public choice award, winner
2020  Startpoint Prize for European Art Graduates, winner
2020  Goedman Stimuleringsprijs, winner
2020  De Beeldmakers #3, finalist
2020  Kassel Dummy Award, Polite Fictions, shortlisted


Talks

2024  Artist talk, organised by Fotomuseum Den Haag
2023  Artist talk, organised by FOTODOK, Taferelen #42, Utrecht
2023  Book talk, organised by byob x ENTER ENTER, Amsterdam
2023  Book talk, organised by FOTODOK, TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
2023  Artist talk, organised by PictureThis #6, Utopie, The Hague
2021  Guest lecture, FAMU Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts, Prague
2021  Guest lectures, Process and Play, Department of Photography, Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
2021  Artist talk, Zefir7 presents New Signatures, organised by BNO Den Haag and Stroom Den Haag
2020  Pitch, De Beeldmakers #3, organised by Het Parool and Vandejong
2020  Pitch, FOTODOK TakeOff #1
2020  Presentation and debate, Art and Design in the World of the United Nations, organised by Kunstpunt and SIB, Forum Groningen


Books

2023  LOBBY, Between green deals and ideals, ISBN 978-90-8321324-8
2021  Polite Fictions, Behind the public face of diplomatic gifts, ISBN 978-90-9034619-9


Press & publications

2024  NPO Radio 1, VPRO Nooit Meer Slapen
2024  Taz, Fotobuch über EU-Büros: Singende Sirenen in Brüssel
2024  De Correspondent, Europa slaapwandelt terwijl China en de VS miljarden pompen in hun groene industrie, waarschuwt Bas Eickhout
2024  Maatschappij & Politiek (M&P), Onderdeel van het democratisch besluitvormingsproces
2024  De Leunstoel, De schoonheid van dodelijk saaie kantoorinterieurs
2024  Tzum, 80 woorden column: Lobby - between deals and ideals
2023  NRC, Wat zijn de tien mooiste en indrukwekkendste fotoboeken van 2023?
2023  FOTODOK, Beelden van politiek, politieke beelden
2023  DIGIFOTO Pro magazine, Mag ik even binnen kijken? 
2023  NRC, Hoe richten lobbyorganisaties hun eigen lobby eigenlijk in
2023  POLITICO, EU Influence, Lobbying for Transparency
2021  The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, Diplomatic Gifts: An Introduction to the Forum
2020  Het Parool, Wie wint talentenjacht De Beeldmakers?
2020  360 Magazine, Polite Fictions
2019  De Correspondent, Boekentips





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