‘Fokke & Sukke’ is the title of the most famous cartoon of the Netherlands. The cartoon is published daily in the national quality newspaper NRC-Handelsblad. The creators are John Reid (1968), Bastiaan Geleijnse (1967) & Jean-Marc van Tol (1967).

 

In the cartoon two figures, a duck (Fokke) and a canary (Sukke), comment on daily politics, society and culture of the Netherlands and the world beyond. They are as inert as can be. From the perspective of both cartoon figures the world has gone mad, while they themselves stay sane. From their safe position, sitting on the couch and watching television, they wonder about the changes going on around them.

 

The names of the duck and the canary are derived from common Dutch names originally from the Northern province of Friesland. Fokke being a boy’s name, Sukke being a girl’s name.

 

 

Next to its visual and humouristic qualities ‘Fokke & Sukke’ is also praised for its literary quality. In 2003 the creators were awarded the Stripschapprijs, the Netherlands’ premier cartoon Award. ‘Fokke & Sukke’ cartoons have also been exhibited in museums and galleries in the Netherlands, amongst others at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht in 2003. A selection of cartoons has been published in English, and succesfully launched in 2002 in New York at the Art Director’s Club.

Fokke & Sukke

cartoons & paintings