visuals

Let’s Get Wild

Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are, 1963, tempera on paper, 9 3/4 x 22”

©The Maurice Sendak Foundation

CMA exhibition explores the art of Where the Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak

By Kobe Collins

Photos courtesy of The Maurice Sendak Foundation

WILD THINGS ARE Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak is the first major retrospective of Maurice Sendak’s work since his death in 2012, and the largest and most complete exhibition of one of the most celebrated and original artists of our time.

The exhibition is on view through March 5 at the Columbus Museum of Art. An international tour will follow.

The exhibition comprises more than 150 sketches, storyboards and paintings, drawn from the Maurice Sendak Foundation collection. Highlights include original work for Sendak’s most famous books: Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There.

Alongside landmark images from Sendak’s books is artwork he created for publications such as The Bat-Poet by Randall Jarrell, A Hole is to Dig by Ruth Krauss, The Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik and Zlateh the Goat by Isaac Bashevis Singer. Designs for many of Sendak’s opera, theater, film and television productions are also featured in the exhibition.

Wild Things Are Happening is guest curated by artist Jonathan Weinberg, curator of the foundation. The retrospective highlights the relationship of Sendak’s images to the art that he collected and loved, including works by William Blake, Walt Disney, Winsor McCay, George Stubbs, Beatrix Potter and Philipp Otto Runge.

“So many of us grew up with Maurice Sendak’s illustrated books,” says Nannette

Right: Maurice Sendak, Design for the Poster of Where the Wild Things Are and Higglety Pigglety Pop! Opera, Glyndebourne Production, 1985, watercolor on paper, 33 1/2 x 23 1/2”

Maciejunes, executive director and CEO of the museum. “This exhibition not only gives you the chance to see original drawings for his beloved books, but to discover Sendak’s range as an artist and the true depth of his creativity.” CS

Kobe Collins is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenecolumbus.com.

As the holiday season approaches, choose to give the gift of art with a CMA membership or uniquely crafted gifts found in the museum’s shop. For more information on exhibits and gifts, visit www.columbusmuseum.org.

Maurice Sendak, Self-Portrait, 1950, ink on paper, 10 3/4 x 16 1/2”

©The Maurice Sendak Foundation

Maurice Sendak, Rosie and Buttermilk, her Cat, character studies for Really Rosie animation, 1973, watercolor and ink on paper, 13 3/4 x 15 5/8”

Maurice Sendak, Mockup for the Cover of Nutshell Library, 1962, ink and tempera, 10 3/8 x 8 1/8”

A prominent voice in growing the vision and impact of the Columbus Museum of Art, CEO and Executive Director Nannette Maciejunes, retires at the end of the year. As a way to pay tribute to almost 20 years of dedication to the museum, longtime community arts patrons Donna and Larry James announced a planned donation of 42 different works by Black artists.

Maciejunes is a 2022 recipient of the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Michael B. Coleman Arts Partner Award recognizing her long-term and exemplary support of the central Ohio arts and cultural community. The award will be presented at the free Big Arts Night celebration 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Southern Theatre and Westin Great Southern Hotel.

Left: Maurice Sendak, Little Bear, 1957, ink on paper, 11 x 8 1/2”

©The Maurice Sendak Foundation

Below left: Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are, 1963, watercolor on paper, 9 3/4 x 11”

©The Maurice Sendak Foundation

Below right: Maurice Sendak, Higglety, Pigglety, Pop!, 1967, ink on paper, 11 ½ x 9”

©The Maurice Sendak Foundation