Casino Marbella has opened its doors to an eagerly awaited new exhibition by Dutch contemporary painter Jacob van Doorn. The inauguration attracted a large international crowd of art collectors, local cultural figures, and media, all gathered to witness the launch of what the artist describes as the beginning of a profoundly personal new chapter in his career.
Jacob van Doorn’s graphic design background & pop art future
Born in Hilversum, Netherlands, Jacob van Doorn originally forged a successful path in graphic design and advertising before dedicating himself entirely to painting. This transition allowed him to channel a more direct and emotive form of expression, resulting in a signature style that fuses vivid colour with dynamic figuration.
The new body of work on display consists of large-scale acrylic paintings on canvas, distinguished by their intense, saturated hues—deep reds, electric blues, and lush greens dominate—and compositions that pulse with energy and movement. Van Doorn’s subjects remain rooted in the human figure and everyday scenes, yet they are rendered with a freedom that balances realism and abstraction, inviting viewers to feel rather than merely observe.
Heartfelt drive behind latest works
The exhibition carries particular emotional weight, as it is the first major presentation since the recent passing of the artist’s life partner, an event that has deeply impacted and influenced this latest phase. Far from retreating, van Doorn has transformed personal loss into renewed creative momentum. He describes his painting as an “emotional and vital engine”, a means of processing grief while reaffirming life’s intensity through colour and gesture.
The opening night was raised by a live musical performance from Virginia, lead vocalist of Vintage Experience, whose soulful set complemented the vibrancy of the artworks on display.
Titled simply after the artist and his evolving series, the exhibition will remain on view at Casino Marbella until January 14. It is open daily from 8pm to 4am, with entry restricted to those 18 and over (valid ID or passport required).
For both long-time followers of van Doorn’s career and newcomers discovering his work, this show offers a moving insight into an artist at a pivotal moment – transforming private sorrow into bold, life-affirming paintings that resonate long after leaving the gallery.
