As a new academic year begins at the WdKA, This Is Where You Can Find Me, a collaborative illustrated book led by WdKA tutor Rachel Sender, offers an inspiring and artistic way for new students to explore Rotterdam. Published in 2022 and featuring work from fourteen Rotterdam-based illustrators, the book provides a creative journey through both iconic and hidden parts of the city, making it a valuable collection of special places in Rotterdam.
Supported by WdKA, the book features personal stories and unique illustrations that touch on themes of gentrification, nostalgia, and love for Rotterdam’s diverse spaces. Through vibrant artwork, it explores how illustration can evoke memories, foster emotional connections, and bring communities together.
The participating illustrators—Melcher Oosterman, Floor Milou Smit, Conform Cox, Carmen José, Nino Maissouradze, Xaviera Altena, Rachel Sender, Soña Lee, Laura Hopmans, Lucia Lenders, Michael van Kekem, Cesare Davolio, Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva, and Johan Kleinjan—each bring their distinct voice to the project. Their work captures the essence of the city’s neighborhoods, its people, and the emotional undercurrents that connect them.
The book, which sold out during its debut at Object Rotterdam, originated from Sender’s Rotterdam Illustrators website and serves as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in capturing the essence of Rotterdam. Newcomers to the city can use this vibrant collection as a source of inspiration to uncover its culture, communities, and hidden gems.
Curious? You can buy the book here.
