Now That You’re Here presents a retrospective featuring more than 250 drawings from the past six years of Jip van den Toorn’s career. The exhibition reveals how an idea is conceived and subsequently developed. Through drawings, sketchbooks and videos, Now That You’re Here offers visitors a glimpse into what it is like to be a cartoonist in an increasingly unpredictable world.
In Now That You’re Here, visitors are invited to use Van den Toorn’s work as a means of expressing their views on the state of the world. Also shown is the short NTR documentary Jip van den Toorn – Boekhouder (‘Bookkeeper’) (2026), in which director Stephane Kaas follows her creative process.
Humour and social commentary
Typical of Van den Toorn’s cartoons is their hard-edged, contemporary visual language that combines humour with social commentary. Observing daily life using her infallible radar for human shortcomings, social tensions, and cultural trends, she subsequently reduces these observations to transparent, often disarming illustrations. Her style is minimalistic yet precise: using seemingly simple lines, she is able to uncover complex emotions and situations, with a satirical undertone that invites reflection.
About Jip van den Toorn
Jip van den Toorn (1993) is one of the Netherlands’ most famous cartoonists. Her drawings are regularly featured in publications like de Volkskrant, De Morgen, and VPRO Gids. In 2018 she won a World Illustration Award, and in 2022 she became the youngest and first ever female winner of the Inktspotprijs cartoon award. Her book Hoe vond je zelf dat het ging? (‘How did you think it went?’) appeared in 2025. A new yearbook for 2026 will be launched early November.Activiteiten
Activities
The exhibitions are accompanied by a range of activities. On Saturday 7 November at 17:30, Van den Toorn will give an Artist Talk in the Kunsthal Auditorium, during which she will explain more about her working method. The exhibition is also included in the ArtHopping tours that introduce participants to the Kunsthal’s wide-ranging programme.
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.