David Wiesner & The Art of Wordless Storytelling

David Wiesner (b. 1956) is one of the most highly acclaimed picture book artists in the world. Winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Tuesday in 1992, The Three Pigs in 2002, and Flotsam in 2007, Wiesner is only the second person in the history of the award to have received it three times. This exhibition of 90 objects is the first to contextualize Wiesner’s art through the inclusion of work by other artists by whom Wiesner was influenced, while also foregrounding the artist’s creative process. Of the earlier masters of wordless picture books, Wiesner has cited three in particular who held sway over his artistic formation: the Belgian born Frans Masereel (1889–1972), the German artist Otto Nückel (1888–1955), and American wordless book specialist, Lynd Ward (1905–1985). Wiesner was also deeply affected by comic book legends Jack Kirby (1917–1994) and Jim Steranko (b. 1938), best known for their work for Marvel. The exhibition and associated catalogue include original art by these artists, as well as Salvador Dalí, Joseph Stella, and Charles Sheeler. In addition, the exhibition catalogue features full-color plates of Wiesner’s original watercolors from his earliest artistic successes to his most recent project: his first graphic novel, Fish Girl, scheduled for release in March 2017. The exhibition catalogue is made possible through the generosity of Zora and Les Charles.

Image credit: David Wiesner, Mr. Wuffles!, pg. 8, 2013. Watercolor and india ink on paper. Courtesy of the artist.