Attention Dr. Seuss fans (so basically everyone at some point in their lives): the author famous for such works as The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is having his art featured in a free exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery (885 West Georgia St) in downtown Vancouver until July 20.
If you’re like me, you remember learning to read with The Cat in the Hat. And you loved the movie version How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey. Well besides writing these ridiculously entertaining stories, Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, created pieces of art in his spare time. Yes, he was known for doing the illustrations for his stories. But his illustrative efforts went far beyond just his books. In his spare time, he would create full-sized paintings and taxidermy-inspired (no real animals parts were actually used) sculptures.
Geisel had given his late wife specific instructions to not release his art work to the public until a certain time had passed. Well folks, that time has now passed and Dr. Seuss’s Secrets of the Deep is a collection of replicas of Geisel’s art. The exhibition is currently being presented in Vancouver by Toronto-based Liss Gallery. The collection provides intriguing insight into our favourite doctor of storytelling and rhyme.
According to Liss Gallery representative, Nick Snellen, Geisel’s The Rather Odd Myopic Woman Riding Piggyback on One of Helen’s Many Cats is an interpretive portrait of his first wife. Huh. And you thought Picasso was the king of abstract art.
The Rather Odd Myopic Woman Riding Piggyback on One of Helen's Many Cats
A really beautiful piece of art in the collection is Green Cat with Lights, which captures the fantastical spirit of the characters and messages in Giesel’s stories.
Green Cat with Lights
The Cat that Changed the World is another work that really stands out. To me, this is an iconic representation of the Dr. Seuss brand and the stories we grew up adoring.
The Cat that Changed the World
Dr. Seuss’s Secrets of the Deep runs until July 30. The exhibit is free and there will be an expert talk on July 28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and lunch seminars on July 20 and 27 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Check out the Pendulum Gallery website for hours and additional information.