FROM 8 NOV '25 – 12 APR '26 | Kunsthal Rotterdam presents Kudzanai-Violet Hwami. They Have Always Been Here, the first solo exhibition in the Netherlands of the Zimbabwean artist. The show runs until 12 April 2026 in Hal 4.

New works exploring identity and heritage

Born in 1993, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami creates layered paintings that combine deep colours, AI-edited photographs and, for the first time, bronze sculptures. For this exhibition, she has produced an entirely new series of works. Her practice amplifies voices that have often been marginalised in history, particularly queer people of colour within the African diaspora.

By weaving together personal photographs and archival material, Hwami addresses themes of identity, heritage and belonging. Her work reflects on the tension between personal freedom, family ties and societal expectations, offering viewers an intimate and complex perspective on lived experience.

Collaboration with Victoria Miro

The exhibition has been developed in close collaboration with the artist and with Victoria Miro gallery in London. For Rotterdam audiences, it provides an opportunity to encounter Hwami’s practice on a significant scale and to engage with pressing themes through her distinctive visual language.

Practical information

• Dates: 8 November 2025 – 12 April 2026
• Location: Kunsthal Rotterdam, Hal 4
• Organised with: Kudzanai-Violet Hwami and Victoria Miro, London

Location and directions

Kunsthal Rotterdam is located on the Museumpark, close to Het Nieuwe Instituut and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. It is easily reached by tram or metro (Eendrachtsplein), and within walking distance from Rotterdam Central Station.

FROM 27 MAR '26 – 30 AUG '26 | Kunsthal Rotterdam presents Flowers Forever, the first major exhibition in the Netherlands to explore the cultural history of flowers in art, design, fashion, politics, religion and science. The show runs until 30 August 2026 in Hal 2.

The many meanings of flowers

The exhibition traces how flowers have been represented and valued across centuries, from ancient myths and religious symbols to status objects, trade commodities and, in today’s context, fragile links in the global ecosystem. Visitors will discover how these motifs have shaped visual culture and social history alike.

Through seven thematic chapters, Flowers Forever reveals the richness and variety of floral imagery and symbolism. Paintings, sculptures, photographs and large-scale installations guide visitors through this multi-layered story, showing the enduring appeal and significance of flowers across cultures and eras.

Collaboration with Kunsthalle München

The exhibition is organised in close collaboration with Kunsthalle München. By bringing together works from different disciplines and periods, the project offers an experience that is as sensory as it is informative, combining aesthetic beauty with historical perspective.

Practical information

• Dates: 27 March – 30 August 2026
• Location: Kunsthal Rotterdam, Hal 2
• Organised with: Kunsthalle München

Location and directions

Kunsthal Rotterdam is located on the Museumpark, close to Het Nieuwe Instituut and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. It is easily reached by tram or metro (Eendrachtsplein), and within walking distance from Rotterdam Central Station.

FROM 13 DEC '25 – 3 MAY '26 | Kunsthal Rotterdam presents David Shrigley. What the Hell Was I Thinking?, the first large-scale Dutch exhibition of the British artist known for his dry humour and absurdist view of everyday life. The show runs until 3 May 2026 in Hal 1.

A critical eye wrapped in humour

David Shrigley (1968) has gained international recognition for his deadpan drawings, offbeat installations and sharp observations. Behind the apparent simplicity of his images lies a critical undertone: Shrigley challenges social conventions and the routines of daily life. His work reflects both humour and unease, inviting viewers to question the world around them.

The exhibition takes visitors into Shrigley’s unique universe, where doubt, failure and human peculiarities are visualised with minimal means. His approach strips situations to their essence, often revealing their absurdity.

Beyond drawings

Although best known for his drawings, Shrigley’s practice spans a wide range of media. What the Hell Was I Thinking? presents works including neons, inflatables and sculptures, alongside his characteristic works on paper. The variety highlights his ability to blend satire with critical reflection across different forms.

Organised in close collaboration with the artist himself and Stephen Friedman Gallery in London, the exhibition offers Rotterdam audiences a comprehensive look at Shrigley’s output.

Practical information

• Dates: 13 December 2025 – 3 May 2026
• Location: Kunsthal Rotterdam, Hal 1
• Organised with: David Shrigley and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London

Location and directions

Kunsthal Rotterdam is located on the Museumpark, close to Het Nieuwe Instituut and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. It is easily reached by tram or metro (Eendrachtsplein), and within walking distance from Rotterdam Central Station.

FROM 30 MAY '26 – 4 OCT '26 | Kunsthal Rotterdam presents a major overview of the work of American photographer Helen Levitt (1913–2009). The exhibition runs until 4 October 2026 in Hal 1.

Capturing New York street life

Helen Levitt is recognised for her poetic and intuitive approach to photography. Beginning in the 1930s, she turned her lens towards the everyday life of New York City. Her images capture playing children, fleeting encounters and moments of tenderness, humour and tension on the streets.

The exhibition offers a broad overview of her career, showing how Levitt combined spontaneity with a sharp eye for composition. Her work reveals both the vitality and fragility of urban life, making her one of the most distinctive documentary photographers of the 20th century.

From black-and-white to colour and film

On display is a rich selection from Levitt’s archive, ranging from early black-and-white photographs to colour prints and film projects. Together, these works highlight her constant exploration of how the everyday could be transformed into something lyrical and profound.

The exhibition is organised in close collaboration with Fundación Mapfre in Madrid, which holds an extensive collection of Levitt’s work.

Practical information

• Dates: 30 May – 4 October 2026
• Location: Kunsthal Rotterdam, Hal 1
• Organised with: Fundación Mapfre, Madrid

Location and directions

Kunsthal Rotterdam is located on the Museumpark, close to Het Nieuwe Instituut and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. It is easily reached by tram or metro (Eendrachtsplein), and within walking distance from Rotterdam Central Station.