The ICON Foundation was founded by photo historians Hedy van Erp and Iris Sikking.
Hedy van Erp graduated from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (English linguistics) and from Leiden University (Masters in Photographic Studies). She founded the agency that represented Koos Breukel, Rineke Dijkstra and Blommers/Schumm. In 2004, she co-organised the conference on ethics in press photography in the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. In 2006/2007 she worked for the Conservation Department of the Nederlands Fotomuseum. She has written articles for Jong Holland, The British Journal of Photography and Archive, the museum publication of the National Media Museum (UK)
After graduation from The Netherlands Film and Television Academy (NFTA), Iris Sikking worked for many years as an editor for creative documentaries. In 2005, she graduated from Leiden University (Masters in Photographic Studies). Through her studies and work experience she has gained a clear insight into the effects of images and representation. These skills are successfully applied in her work as a photo historian and curator. For Paradox (www.paradox.nl), she has been developing and organising photo exhibitions since 2006.
Depending on the scale and nature of the projects, ICON works in close association with scholars and specialists from related fields.
