Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak
A comprehensive exploration of Maurice Sendak's artistic legacy
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Distributed Art Publishers
Published:20th Oct '22
Should be back in stock very soon
This book offers a deep dive into the life and art of Maurice Sendak, including insights from key collaborators and unpublished materials. Wild Things Are Happening is a must-read.
This book serves as the most comprehensive survey of Maurice Sendak's work, one of the most celebrated picture book artists in history. Wild Things Are Happening showcases previously unpublished archival materials, offering readers a unique glimpse into Sendak's artistic journey. Published alongside a touring retrospective of Sendak's work in museums across the United States and Europe from 2022 to 2024, the book highlights the profound influence of art history on Sendak's creations, as well as the impact of his extensive art collection on his imagery.
Within the pages of Wild Things Are Happening, readers will find a treasure trove of previously unseen sketches, storyboards, and paintings that illuminate Sendak's creative processes. The book features an extended essay by esteemed art historian Thomas Crow, who explores the cultural contexts and origins of Sendak's iconic book, Where the Wild Things Are. Additionally, the book includes interviews and tributes from key collaborators such as Carroll Ballard, Michael Di Capua, and Spike Jonze, providing a diverse array of perspectives on Sendak's legacy.
Maurice Sendak, who lived from 1928 to 2012, was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents from Poland. A largely self-taught artist, he authored and illustrated over 150 books in his remarkable 60-year career. His celebrated works include Kenny’s Window, Very Far Away, and In the Night Kitchen, among others. Sendak's collaborations with renowned authors and his illustrations of classic tales have left an indelible mark on children's literature.
The largest retrospective of the work of the beloved American author and illustrator to date. -- Verity Babbs * Artnet *
Emotion still pulses through Sendak’s books, as palpable as ever. -- Megan McCrea * The New York Times *
It’s a rare treat to see these iconic images in their original form. -- Bianca Schulze * The Children's Book Review *
The book rewards readers with a deep dive into Sendak’s work and process...beautifully captures his prolific career. -- AX Mina * Hyperallergic *
His blending of a child’s perspective with the visual vocabulary of “grown-up” fine art not only reveals his faith in a child’s ability to deal with complex material, but may also have some bearing on the longevity of his books’ appeal—that is, why we continue to love them even after we have left our childhoods behind. -- Nicole Rudick * Artforum *
An exquisite new book...There are so many treasures here it’s hard to know where to begin. -- Julia Vitale * Airmail *
A new book collects six decades’ worth of the artist’s work [...] From sketching other kids playing in the street outside his childhood window, to the long, regimented days spent drawing, painting and writing in his Connecticut studio as an adult, Sendak remained dedicated all his life to at least one theme: wandering. -- Lauren Christensen * The New York Times Book Review *
ISBN: 9781636810522
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
248 pages