“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” –Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Should you choose to steer yourself in the direction of viewing the private works of Dr. Seuss – the 20th century’s most celebrated imagination – you will find more than 40 surreal images and sculptures at the Pendulum Gallery in downtown Vancouver.
Currently on view until July 30 is an engaging and rare collection of works that Dr. Seuss, or rather Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904–1991) made his wife promise to not make public until after his death. The works (reproductions) provide a unique insight into the personal world of the famed author and artist. While he is most remembered for his playful and poetic tongue-twister children’s books, the undertones of his enchanting characters and whimsical worlds offered serious ideological explorations for children and adults alike.
His best-known works overshadow his early years as a cartoonist living in New York City, earning a humble wage creating clever cartoons for obscure humour magazines and The Saturday Evening Post from 1927–1941.
During the Second World War, Dr. Seuss’ political and wartime cartoons spoke out against racism and anti-Semitism through his unique flavour of wit and sarcasm. Following the war, the writer and illustrator created stories about hope, love, imagination, taking care of the environment and respecting others, all things that make our world a better place.
Dr. Seuss’ boundless imagination shines through in this exceptional little exhibition of reproductions of his works, ranging from the 1930s to the 1980s.
The Art of Dr. Seuss runs now to July 30 at the Pendulum Gallery in the lobby of the HSBC building at 885 West Georgia. Admission is free.
–Laura Busby, Vitamin Daily
