Maurice Sendak is best known for the 1963 children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are.” But the Skirball Cultural Center will put a microscope on the whole of his career with “Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak.”
The exhibit makes its West Coast debut on Thursday, April 18, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 1. Sendak, who died in 2012, also penned “Outside Over There” and “In the Night Kitchen.”
Organized by the Columbus Museum of Art, where the exhibit premiered in October 2022, “Wild Things Are Happening” sees more than 150 paintings, storyboards and sketches, courtesy of the Maurice Sendak Foundation.
The pieces include artwork he created for the “Little Bear” series by Else Holmelund Minarik, “The Bat-Poet” by Randall Jarrell, “Zlateh the Goat” by Isaac Bashevis Singer, and “A Hole is to Dig” by Ruth Krauss.
Managing co-curator Sarah Daymude shared the whimsy that’s offered within the “Wild Things Are Happening” exhibit.
“This exhibit is for any person of any age — Sendak’s uniqueness has transcended over generations and cultures,” Daymude said. “These characters and stories made by Sendak are so loved for their wonder, curiosity and imagination. There’s something for everyone here, like finer arts by Sendak for older audiences, and movie clips and drawings and paintings to be enjoyed by everyone of course, but kids will love it, too.”
Daymude said it’s fascinating to see Sendak’s books translated into different languages, and the display of the new tome “Ten Little Rabbits,” made possible by the Maurice Sendak Foundation. Originally published as a mini book in 1981, the foundation organized it into a larger piece to give to Sendak’s readers.
In addition to the “Wild Things Are Happening” exhibit, guests can visit the Reading Room to peruse the books that Sendak wrote or contributed to. Visitors can also sketch freely in another area, if they are inspired by Sendak’s artistic style.
The Skirball is not new to celebrating the works of Sendak, as it hosted an immersive exhibit showcasing the artist’s imagination in 2002.
“Twenty years ago, the Skirball had the chance to celebrate the vision of Maurice Sendak,” said Jessie Kornberg, Skirball Cultural Center president and chief executive officer.
“In that show, we got to visit Max (the main character of “Where the Wild Things Are”) in his bedroom, slide into a giant bowl of chicken soup with rice, and see productions of Sendak’s brilliant work. This second visit with Sendak isn’t just a chance for a whole new generation to become familiar with his work. It’s a chance to appreciate the astonishing breadth and depth of Sendak’s artistry — from children’s books and toys to opera sets — to learn about his life from childhood to adulthood, and to gain insight into the impact of his Jewish heritage.”
For late-night fun at the Skirball, the “Late Night! Wild Things Are Happening” event will take place from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, to let the wild rumpus start — with food, drinks, music and dancing and after-hours gallery access.
“Seeing this exhibit introduces everyone to another side of Sendak,” Daymude said. “We get to see his other talents in theater and design in addition to his work in children’s literature. He may have shaped our childhoods in more than one way if we look hard enough.”