Rotterdam city artists 2022 announced

We are happy to tell you who the City Artists 2022 are: Kazuma Eekman, Maria Fraaije and Marcel Herkelman.

Rotterdam city artists, it is now a real tradition. Even before the bombing of 14 May 1940, but especially during the reconstruction, draftsmen recorded the changes in the city. Until the late 80s, it gave City Archives Rotterdam annual assignments to draftsmen. Due to the rapid changes, Rotterdam is an ideal source of inspiration. Since 2018, this tradition has been restored by CBK Rotterdam and the Rotterdam City Archives. And in The Kunsthal the drawings are shown, which are then included in the collection of the City Archives. After two years in which the pandemic was central, this year's theme is gentrification in Rotterdam.

From the jury report:

Kazuma Eekman
The jury describes Eekman's work in terms of 'uncanny' and 'absurdist', everyone is fascinated by his visual language and his personal approach to the theme. According to the jury, this personal relationship with the theme, namely his search for a studio, will result in important drawings. Also see Keekman.com

Maria Beautiful
What beautiful dreamy drawings and striking colors, says the jury. Fraaije knows how to support her words with the images, the jury is very curious how she manages to build a bridge between the changing city and its inhabitants. Also see beautifull.com

Marcel Herkelman
“The city has a mood and I would like to draw this mood.” His black and white drawings are stiff, almost unapproachable – his texts crystal clear and provocative. It's so exciting how he captures the gentrification. Also see Instagram.com/forsaleornotforsale

“This year the jury chose a topical theme that plays in all major cities, but certainly also in Rotterdam: gentrification. This subject causes a lot of discussion and commotion, because in contrast to the renewal and 'upgrading' of the old neighborhoods is the inevitable move of people from their familiar environment and affordable rental housing. Crooswijk and Katendrecht are well-known examples of neighborhoods where this has already happened. The Tweebosbuurt, Carnisse and the Zomerhofkwartier are in the middle of – or on the eve of – such a radical transformation. It is not just about housing, but also about communities and the appearance of the city. In addition, social real estate is under pressure! For example, artists are in danger of losing their studio space in large former school buildings, because they are being converted into handy homes and commercial business spaces. Old inland ports are also increasingly having to make way for slick residential and recreational areas that lack any relationship with the port city. There are Rotterdammers who say that they miss the 'raw' atmosphere of the past and that their city is becoming too hip and slick and people are being excluded. In short, gentrification keeps a lot of people busy in Rotterdam and creates quite a stir.”

Full jury report

Read more about the Rotterdam City Artists of 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018