On Thursday, September 24, 2026, a new work by illustrator and designer Joost Swarte was unveiled at De Bushalte van Rietveld in Eindhoven. For the 21st edition of this unique, small-scale exhibition space, Swarte designed a work that once again brought together the histories of architecture, graphic design, and art in public spaces.
The event began in the Hall of a Hundred at Eindhoven City Hall, where visitors were welcomed with coffee. There, Swarte spoke about his connection to and history with Eindhoven, his work, and the creation of the new design for Rietveld’s bus stop.
After the lecture, the group made their way together to De Bushalte van Rietveld. There, the new work was unveiled in a festive ceremony, and this iconic spot in Eindhoven’s public space was once again given a temporary artistic interpretation. The project thus demonstrated how an existing architectural structure can be continually reinterpreted and reimagined by successive artists and designers.
Day and Night
Joost Swarte filled the panels with six themes centered on urban life, interior and exterior settings. Visible day and night. He blended the scenes with six themes that speak to the landscape and the not always visible surroundings of Eindhoven.
By making clever use of the fluorescent lighting in the column, which turns on in the evening, an additional visual element is added at night to the images that are visible during the day. In this way, each panel tells two stories.
Panel 1. Construction vs. Animals/Livestock
Panel 2. Kitchen vs. Trees/Horticulture
Panel 3. Sleeping vs. Traffic
Panel 4. Media vs. Birds
Panel 5. Bathroom vs. Waterland
Panel 6. Attic (past) vs. Universe (future)
Joost Swarte
Joost Swarte is one of the most influential Dutch comic artists, illustrators, and designers. With his clean lines, eye for detail, and playful humor, he brought international recognition to the so-called klare lijn– style. In addition to comics, he designed posters, book covers, stained-glass windows, and architectural projects. His work is distinguished by its precision, color, and subtle irony, and has inspired artists, designers, and comic book enthusiasts at home and abroad for decades.
De Bushalte van Rietveld
For 35 years, De Bushalte van Rietveld has been a unique gathering place where architecture, art, and design converge. Since 1990, twenty artists, designers, and architects have continually reinterpreted Gerrit Rietveld’s iconic design. Each exhibition adds a new layer of meaning to this extraordinary public space.
With Joost Swarte’s new work, De Bushalte van Rietveld takes on a surprising new interpretation, adding a new chapter to the history of this unique exhibition space.
Photography: Base Photography and Dutch Design Daily
