The Doctor Is In The House…And So Are The Masters: Exhibits Spotlight Seuss, Picasso, Chagall, Dali & Miró
“Yawning Cat” by Dr. Seuss
Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor will host two outstanding art exhibitions in July: “Modern Masters” (Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró), and “The Art of Dr. Seuss – 20th Anniversary Collection.”
Each exhibition offers an opportunity to view and acquire artwork, and to meet the curators in gallery receptions.
“Modern Masters” runs from June 29 through July 8, followed by “The Art of Dr. Seuss,” July 20 through July 29.
Picasso, Chagall, Dalí and Miró were contemporaries who influenced one another, each working in various media such as painting, printmaking and sculpting. Their works are highly sought and prized by collectors.
“Curating the ‘Modern Masters’ exhibition was a true pleasure,” says curator Pamela Walsh. “The work of these four masters is still so compelling and relevant today, half a century or more later. Each of these artists developed a unique pictorial language, pioneering new styles and techniques that had yet to be explored. Although they each had distinctly different artistic voices, their work dialogues in a fascinating and profound way that brings new meaning to these iconic images. This exhibit is a delightful exploration of these titans of 20th century art, and the works that have shaped the way we experience art today.”
The “Modern Masters” collection, while not thematic, is a survey of the type of work for which each artist was best known and represents a variety of media for each:
* Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) almost single-handedly created modern art, and during his artistic career, which lasted more than 75 years, created thousands of works using all kinds of materials: paintings, sculptures, prints and ceramics.
* Marc Chagall (1887-1985) stands out as a romantic genius and masterful colorist, and is known for his recollections of village life, presented in surrealistic juxtapositions and color, imbuing the works with an air of yearning, nostalgia and childlike wonderment.
* Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) is considered the greatest artist of the Surrealist art movement. Though chiefly remembered for his painterly output, during the course of his long career he successfully turned to sculpture, printmaking, fashion, advertising, writing and filmmaking.
* Joan Miró (1893-1983), an inventive and imaginative painter, sculptor, ceramicist and printmaker, forever changed the course of modern art. Although he derived his own visual vocabulary from nature, his works are frequently viewed as interesting abstract compositions, an effect that is enhanced by his vivid palette.
There will be three curatorial receptions for “Modern Masters”: Friday, June 29; Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1, from 7 to 10pm each evening.
The catalogue of artwork for the “Modern Masters” exhibit can be found on the Ocean Galleries website, oceangalleries.com.
“The Art of Dr. Seuss” exhibition offers visitors the chance to explore and acquire works from Dr. Seuss’ best-known children’s books, as well as “The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss,” a collection based on decades of artwork that Dr. Seuss created at night for his personal pleasure.
“We love bringing the whimsical and legendary artwork of Dr. Seuss to the Jersey Shore community,” says Kim Miller, owner of Ocean Galleries. “His artwork truly is magical and beloved by many generations. This is a great show for the entire family and an excellent way to introduce children to fine arts.”
Perhaps the wackiest and most wonderful elements of the collection are Dr. Seuss’s three-dimensional “Unorthodox Taxidermy” sculptures with names like The Carbonic Walrus, The Two-Horned Drouberhannis, and the Goo-Goo-Eyed Tasmanian Wolghast, to name a few.
Each estate-authorized limited edition has been adapted and reproduced from Theodor Seuss Geisel’s original drawings, paintings, or sculptures. Additionally, each work bears a posthumously printed or engraved Dr. Seuss signature, identifying the work as an authorized limited edition commissioned by the Dr. Seuss estate.
Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the collection during special receptions with the show curator and noted Dr. Seuss expert, Jeff Schuffman. Receptions will be held on Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, from 7 to 10pm, and on Sunday, July 22 from 1 to 4pm.
Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, began his career as a little-known editorial cartoonist in the 1920s. His intriguing perspective and fresh concepts ignited his career, and his work evolved quickly to deft illustrations, modeled sculpture, and sophisticated oil paintings of elaborate imagination. During his varied career, he delivered 44 children’s books, more than 400 World War II political cartoons, hundreds of advertisements, and countless editorials filled with wonderfully inventive animals, characters, and clever humor.
“The Art of Dr. Seuss” offers a rare glimpse into the artistic life of this celebrated American icon and chronicles almost seven decades of work that, in every respect, is uniquely, stylistically and endearingly “Seussian.” Works in this collection have been reproduced from significant public and private collections, including the University of California at San Diego and the Estate of Dr. Seuss.
“I have said that Ted [Dr. Suess] knew he would leave big footprints after he was gone,” wrote his widow, Audrey Geisel, “but he couldn’t possibly have known the astounding impact his legacy would have on the worlds of art, literature, pop, and high culture.”
Ocean Galleries is located at 9618 Third Ave. in Stone Harbor. For more information about “Modern Masters” or “The Art of Dr. Seuss,” please call 609-368-7777, or visit oceangalleries.com.
