Where the Wild Things Are: Sendak Tribute Show

Harrisons Gallery and Framers in Eleventh Avenue, Tauranga is proud to be opening "Where the Wild Things Are – A Tribute Exhibition", on the June 1, 2012.  

This group show, featuring many accomplished artists from Tauranga and further afield is dedicated to the legacy of Maurice Sendak.

"Sendak has been hailed as the Picasso of childrens' books.”  

"He had the foresight to pull back on the text in childrens' books and allow his art to carry his story. 

"He realised that his art had the power to completely involve young readers in the picture book experience”, says Harrisons Gallery Art Director Gaye Carrothers.

Maurice Sendak was recognised in the art world as an accomplished artist and illustrator.

His writing and wonderful drawings touched the lives of millions of children.

"Where the Wild Things Are" was written in 1963 and gained Sendak international acclaim with sales of over 19 million copies worldwide. 

Pink Moon' by artist Antony Warnes.

It's great to be able to feature a painting by long time Bay of Plenty painting identity Antony Warnes in this blog.

Antony is still prolific and is producing a wide range of subject matter in his well-known and ever popular style.

Also included in the exhibition will be works by internationally celebrated artist Raymond Ching.

Raymond is known for his stunning wildlife paintings especially of birds.  

John Mc Lean who is known to many art followers in Tauranga will feature in the show. 

John attended Tauranga Boys' College and was taught by Edward Bullmore. His narrative, illustrative paintings have been exhibited a number of times at Tauranga Art Gallery.

Other notable participating artists are Talitha Brauchli, Mandy Hague, Rebecca Gilmore, Richard Ponder, Nick Eggleston, Ken Hunt, Richard Mac Donald, Jannette Blackburn, Antony Warnes, Elliot Mason and Alexandra Holmes.

A wild thing watercolour by Nick Eggleston.

I just had to include this slightly disturbing 'Wild Things exhibition' offering by Nick Eggleston. It is definitely 'Sendak scary' and one has to wonder what the bird with antlers has in mind with regard to its small feathered passengers.

The paintings by Nick Eggleston and Antony Warnes will be a good fit with the Sendak theme.

I look forward to seeing how all the paintings tie in when I visit the exhibition next week. 

In particular I'll be interested in the intriguing ideas that are so often found in the work of a personal favourite of mine, Tauranga artist Richard Mac Donald.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday 1st June 2012 and will continue through until Saturday, 21June 2012.

In Sendak's own words, "... go where the wild things are" and this June the 'wild things' will be at Harrisons Art Gallery, 106 Eleventh Avenue, Tauranga.

For further information about the exhibition please contact Carmen Dickison at enquiries@harrisonsgallery.co.nz and to view exhibition artwork visit www.harrisonsgallery.co.nz.

by Pete Morris (May, 2012).

Pete Morris is an occasional painter and an art lover. He is a freelance writer who has a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.